1
as in terrifying
causing fear
the fearful roar of a lion
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2
as in timid
easily frightened
the stray cat that we took in is still fearful, even around us
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3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the fearful wind and cold simply made being outside a miserable experience
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4
as in afraid
filled with fear or dread
fearful of venturing out onto the dark highway, the stranded motorist decided to wait in the car for help
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fearful
This finding specifically held true for people with fearful and preoccupied attachment styles, two subtypes of insecure attachment associated with a craving for intimacy but, respectively, a deep fear of it or a fear of rejection and abandonment.
—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
20 June 2026
Many children also become extremely anxious, angry, and fearful, Mendoza said.
—
Claudia Boyd-Barrett,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Yet the big festivals are often extremely fearful.
—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
18 June 2026
In other words, Benedict was calling on even regular customers who may be staying away, perhaps fearful of a crush of World Cup fans, to return to the business at 2122 Jefferson St.
—
Eric Adler
june 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
20 June 2026
Many children also become extremely anxious, angry, and fearful, Mendoza said.
—
Claudia Boyd-Barrett,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Yet the big festivals are often extremely fearful.
—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
18 June 2026
In other words, Benedict was calling on even regular customers who may be staying away, perhaps fearful of a crush of World Cup fans, to return to the business at 2122 Jefferson St.
—
Eric Adler
june 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearful
Adjective
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The full extent of the casualties and damage may not be clear for many hours, but reports and videos show extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure across the country as residents face a terrifying night in the streets.
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Then the assailant turns to face the camera; but inside a hoodie, the face is no face, just a terrifying horror movie mask.
Adjective
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Playing Mary Bennet — Elizabeth’s younger and more timid sister — Bruccoleri set out to portray the coming of age story of a Regency woman.
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Don’t be timid; get the crust good and wet before proceeding.
Adjective
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Katherine Guaramaco described the experience as one of the most intense of her life.
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The president highlighted the military operation in Iran that has proven deeply unpopular, and an immigration agenda that has provoked intense backlash.
Adjective
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That's the part so many seem afraid to say out loud.
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The people who worked for cooperatives were particularly afraid.
Adjective
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The hypocrisy is stunning, and frightening.
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Yes, the Scots played poorly, but Brazil’s brilliant roster of attacking talent capitalized on mistakes with frightening efficiency.
Adjective
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Housed in remote data centers whose energy-intensive maintenance perpetuates the changing environmental conditions that threaten Tuvalu’s existence, the attempt to redeposit territory digitally drives home the paradoxes, and costs, of storage.
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Qatari mediators returned to the Iranian capital for 17 hours of what the diplomat described as intensive negotiations.
Adjective
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Rodríguez acknowledged that many remain too frightened to return home even after inspections declared some buildings safe.
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Some days are spent inside an Ebola Treatment Unit caring for patients who are frightened, isolated, and desperately ill.
Adjective
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Authorities say the scary situation happened at the end of a ride on May 10.
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As a child life specialist, Hartz’s job is to make the hospital experience less scary.
Cite this Entry
“Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearful. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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