fearful

adjective

fear·​ful ˈfir-fəl 

1

: causing or likely to cause fear, fright, or alarm especially because of dangerous quality

a fearful storm

2

a

: full of fear

fearful for his safety

b

: indicating or arising from fear

a fearful glance

c

: inclined to fear : timorous

3

: very great or bad

—used as an intensive

a fearful waste

fearful slum conditions

fearfully

ˈfir-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

fearfulness

ˈfir-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• alarming
• dire
• direful
• dread
• dreadful
• fearsome
• forbidding
• formidable
• frightening
• frightful
• ghastly
• hair-raising
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrifying
• intimidating
• redoubtable
• scary
• shocking
• spine-chilling
• terrible
• terrifying

Choose the Right Synonym for fearful

fearful, apprehensive, afraid mean disturbed by fear.

fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament.

the child is fearful of loud noises

apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger.

apprehensive of being found out

afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance.

afraid to speak the truth

Examples of fearful in a Sentence

He plays the role of a timid and fearful clerk.

They won the war but at a fearful cost.

Recent Examples on the Web

Burnsville officers went to Warren’s home around 9:30 a.m. after her sister called 911, explaining that Warren had called her during a fearful moment, deputies said. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025

Without psychological safety, however, discomfort, conflict and ruthless competition can lead to a fearful workforce. —Sanjeev Menon, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Though Trump has by many accounts taken swift and extreme action in the first few months of his term, the MAGA originalists remain fearful of being stymied by the deep state, and worry about loyalty to the first principles of the movement. —Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 11 May 2025

Demonstrators turned out in large numbers after the election, but the brutal government backlash has made most Venezuelans fearful of speaking out. —Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 7 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English feerful, fereful "inspiring dread, frightened," from fer fear entry 1 + -ful -ful entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fearful

• cheerful
• tearful

Kids Definition

fearful

adjective

fear·​ful ˈfi(ə)r-fəl 

1

: causing fear

the fearful roar of a lion

2

: filled with fear

fearful of danger

3

: showing or caused by fear

a fearful glance

4

: extremely bad, large, or intense

fearful cold

fearfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

fearfulness noun