Apprehensively

/ˌæprɪˈhenʃəsli/ adverb

Definition

In a manner showing worry, anxiety, or nervous concern about something.

Etymology

From apprehensive + -ly suffix. Apprehensive comes from apprehension + -ive (tending toward/having the quality of). The word evolved to emphasize the anxiety sense of apprehension over the understanding sense.

Kelly Says

Dogs often look at their owners apprehensively when facing new situations—researchers now call this 'apprehensive checking' and it shows humans and dogs share the same anxiety-monitoring behavior!

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