What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
apprehension
Example
She felt a sense of apprehension before her job interview. [apprehension: noun]
Example
He apprehensively approached the edge of the cliff, unsure if he should take the leap. [apprehensively: adverb]
dread
Example
I have a sense of dread about going to the dentist tomorrow. [dread: noun]
Example
She dreaded the thought of having to give a presentation in front of a large audience. [dreaded: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Apprehension is more commonly used than dread in everyday language. Apprehension is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dread is slightly less common and may be used in more intense or dramatic situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between apprehension and dread?
While apprehension is typically associated with a neutral or slightly formal tone, dread has a stronger and more dramatic connotation, making it more suitable for informal or expressive contexts.
