trepidation
Fear before acting
Trepidation is fearful uncertainty or nervous apprehension about something that might happen: She approached the interview with trepidation.
The word suggests trembling anxiety rather than outright terror—worry about an outcome, not immediate danger.
He opened the envelope with some trepidation.
Persistent apprehensive distress
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- frightSudden intense fear
panic · terror · foreboding · nervousness · worry · misgiving · unease · disquiet
Likelihood of occurrence
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- premonitionAdvance sense of future events
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
jitters · edginess · tension · restlessness · waiting · dread · uneasiness · nail-biting
Rapid involuntary movement
- quiveringShaking slightly and rapidly
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- shudderingConvulsive trembling motion
- quakingTrembling or shuddering
shiver · palpitation · tremulous · unsteadiness · wobbling · flutter · vibration
Disinclination to act
- indecisionFailure to decide
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- doubtLack of firm belief
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
tentativeness · reservation · second-guessing · ambivalence · vacillation · faltering · demurral · reticence
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
fright · panic · terror · foreboding · nervousness · worry · misgiving · unease · disquiet · perturbation
expectancy
Likelihood of occurrence
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- premonitionAdvance sense of future events
butterflies · jitters · edginess · tension · restlessness · waiting · dread · uneasiness · nail-biting · anxiousness
shaking
Rapid involuntary movement
- quiveringShaking slightly and rapidly
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- shudderingConvulsive trembling motion
quaking · shiver · palpitation · tremulous · unsteadiness · wobbling · flutter · vibration
reluctance
Disinclination to act
- indecisionFailure to decide
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- doubtLack of firm belief
uncertainty · tentativeness · reservation · second-guessing · ambivalence · vacillation · faltering · demurral · reticence · unwillingness
- Anxietyanxiety, nervousness, panic, worry, generalized anxiety
- fearfear, dread, afraid, fright, frightened
- agitationagitation, anxiety, worry, nervousness, unease
- fear reactionsscream, scared, gasp, terrified, flinch
- signs of anxietyanxiety, worry, nervousness, apprehension, jitters
- worriesworry, concern, fear, anxiety, apprehension
trepidationfearlessness
Complete lack of dread
courage · bravery · intrepidity · boldness · dauntlessness
trepidationconfidence
Self-assurance or trust
self-confidence · self-assurance · assurance · certainty · conviction
trepidationcalm
Free from agitation
composure · equanimity · serenity · tranquility · peace of mind