in fear for one's/someone's life
1 of 2phrase (1)
: feeling that one/someone is in danger of dying or being killed
in fear of one's life
2 of 2phrase (2)
variants
or US in fear for one's life
: afraid of being killed
She claimed that she shot the burglar because she was in fear for her life.
Cite this Entry
“In fear for one's/someone's life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20fear%20for%20one%27s%2Fsomeone%27s%20life. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
