1
: feeling fear
He plays the role of a timid and fearful clerk.
—often + offearful [=afraid] of danger
He was fearful of being left behind. = He was fearful that he would be left behind.
—sometimes + forShe was fearful for their safety. [=she was afraid that they were not safe]
2
: showing or caused by fear
a fearful glance
3
: very bad or extreme
a fearful waste
fearful cold
They won the war but at a fearful cost.
4
: causing fear
I spent a fearful night alone in the woods.
Cite this Entry
“Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/fearful. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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