anxious or apprehensive crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! Below, you'll find comprehensive solutions for the clue "anxious or apprehensive," designed to help you quickly complete your puzzle. We've compiled answers of various lengths, along with clear explanations.
Solutions for "anxious or apprehensive crossword clue" by Letter Count
6 Letters
UNEASY: Feeling discomfort or worry, often a mild form of anxiety.
7 Letters
NERVOUS: Easily agitated or alarmed; tending to be anxious.
WORRIED: Feeling or showing anxiety or concern about something.
12 Letters
APPREHENSIVE: Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen. This word directly matches one of the terms in the clue.
More About "anxious or apprehensive crossword clue"
The clue "anxious or apprehensive" is a classic example of a crossword clue that seeks a synonym for a specific emotional state. Constructors often use pairs of closely related words to broaden the scope of potential answers, giving solvers more flexibility while still testing their vocabulary. In this case, both "anxious" and "apprehensive" point to a state of unease, concern, or mild fear about an uncertain future event.
When encountering such clues, it's beneficial to consider both direct synonyms and words that describe the feeling's intensity or specific context. For instance, 'nervous' might imply a physical manifestation of anxiety, while 'worried' focuses on the mental aspect. 'Uneasy' is a more general term indicating discomfort, and 'apprehensive' itself perfectly encapsulates the forward-looking fear.
Understanding these nuances can help you select the precise word that fits the letter count and intersecting letters in your crossword grid. Always consider the context provided by other solved letters to narrow down the possibilities from a pool of synonyms.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: For clues with multiple descriptors like "anxious or apprehensive," think about the subtle differences between the words. One answer might fit "anxious" better, another "apprehensive," or a third might fit both generally.
- Check Letter Count First: Always count the available spaces in the grid immediately. This is the most crucial filter. For "anxious or apprehensive," you might have a 6-letter slot (UNEASY), a 7-letter slot (NERVOUS, WORRIED), or even a 12-letter slot (APPREHENSIVE).
- Consider Common Crossword Synonyms: Crossword puzzles often recycle popular synonyms for common concepts. Familiarize yourself with frequently used words for emotions, states of being, and actions to speed up your solving process.
- Look at Intersecting Words: If you're stuck, use the letters you've already filled in from intersecting words. These letters are your strongest hints for the correct answer.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common synonyms for 'anxious' in crosswords?
Common synonyms for 'anxious' in crossword puzzles include NERVOUS, UNEASY, WORRIED, TENSE, FEARFUL, and APPREHENSIVE. The specific answer often depends on the number of letters required.
How do I determine the correct length for an 'apprehensive' clue?
To determine the correct length, check the puzzle's grid for the number of boxes allocated for the answer. Crossword clues for 'apprehensive' can vary in length depending on the specific synonym or nuance the constructor is looking for, such as 'UNEASY' (6 letters) or 'APPREHENSIVE' itself (12 letters).
Are there other related feelings often used in crossword clues?
Yes, crosswords frequently feature clues related to emotions and feelings. Beyond anxiety, you might find clues for happiness (JOY, ELATE), sadness (GLOOM, WOE), anger (RAGE, IRE), or surprise (ASTOUND, AWE). Familiarity with these broader categories can greatly assist your puzzle-solving.