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dread

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noun

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dread

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dread distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of dread are alarm, fear, fright, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When is alarm a more appropriate choice than dread?

In some situations, the words alarm and dread are roughly equivalent. However, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

When could fear be used to replace dread?

The meanings of fear and dread largely overlap; however, fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

In what contexts can fright take the place of dread?

Although the words fright and dread have much in common, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

Where would panic be a reasonable alternative to dread?

The synonyms panic and dread are sometimes interchangeable, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When might terror be a better fit than dread?

While in some cases nearly identical to dread, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How do trepidation and dread relate to one another?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dread
Adjective
His pulse rings with an animal excitement indistinguishable from dread, panic: a flood of adrenaline, as if his life were at risk. Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025 Mix that with panic, dread, and disappointment from the judges, pack your bags! Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
Within Apple’s operations, finance and marketing departments, fears had grown about the impact on the fall launch of new phones — and fueled a sense of dread. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2025 Michael Swensen / Getty Images For many, there was a sense of dread that the worst was still to come. CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
With the spring period concluding, Charlotte now has to trim its roster down to 105 players from 120 — something that Albin has been long dreading. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025 The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a spot that NFL teams dread being in this offseason. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dread
Adjective
  • The family eventually crosses paths with a corrupt theme-park operator (John Ortiz), his sheriff (Colin Hanks) and a terrifying crime boss (Sharon Stone) before chaos ensues.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • As the clip continues, attendees recall the infamous countdown clock that preceded Scott’s performance, before discussing in harrowing detail the terrifying sensation of being caught in the crowd surge.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Another request that was also denied spelled out similar worries.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
  • But that worry has gone into overdrive upon learning that Carlos’ body was found in the Truckee River.
    Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Krystal Sieben took her children to a horse ranch and watched as her 8-year-old son with autism, racked with fear, was on the verge of tears.
    Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
  • Still, many rural white communities have long expressed fear at the threat of violence and feel authorities are not doing enough to protect them.
    Gerald Imray, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • If that’s true, then the rate of growth of AI startups should be striking terror into corporate board rooms around the world.
    Andrew Binns, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • At least one of the young suspects who have been robbing cabbies since January was arrested, but then released from court without bail, angering taxi advocates, who are demanding prosecutors take a stronger stance against these teen terrors.
    Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • These frightening and repulsive actions represent the most significant breach on our Capitol in over two hundred years.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Mellencamp's frightening diagnosis, though, hasn't stopped her resolve.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Margin anxiety nonetheless prompted HF Sinclair to pause what had been a budding streak of annual dividend hikes since a little before the corporate merger.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • As reported by First Post, Poland is holding a presidential election against a backdrop of growing security concerns, fueled by the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine and anxiety over a potential U.S. retreat from European defense commitments under President Donald Trump.
    Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • Others get their start in spring and plague the summer lawn.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
  • That said, consumption changes continue to plague cable.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Every celebrity — no matter how small — had at least one stalker or someone obsessed with them, and no fan was creepier or scarier than the ones obsessed with child stars.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 14 May 2025
  • Here’s a scary scenario: You’ve been put in charge of air traffic control at Newark airport near New York.
    Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dread. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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