Synonyms of dread

dread 1 of 3

adjective

as in terrifying

causing fear

every ship on the Spanish Main was terrified of running into the dread pirate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terrifying
• frightening
• scary
• formidable
• horrible
• terrible
• fearful
• intimidating
• alarming
• dreadful
• horrifying
• shocking
• eerie
• startling
• ghastly
• frightful
• creepy
• forbidding
• dire
• fearsome
• direful
• trying
• horrendous
• spine-chilling
• redoubtable
• troubling
• gruesome
• unnerving
• threatening
• disturbing
• hair-raising
• demoralizing
• daunting
• discouraging
• disquieting
• disconcerting
• hideous
• distressing
• perturbing
• weird
• nightmarish
• dismaying
• horrid
• monstrous
• macabre
• grisly
• awful
• appalling
• bone-chilling
• atrocious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• comforting
• relaxing
• soothing
• calming
• inviting
• consoling
• tranquilizing
• quieting
• lulling
• nonthreatening
• pacifying
• nonintimidating

dread

2 of 3

noun

1

as in worry

suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune

the dread felt by people awaiting bad news

Synonyms & Similar Words

• worry
• anxiety
• apprehension
• uncertainty
• concern
• fearfulness
• unease
• apprehensiveness
• foreboding
• misgiving
• alarm
• suspense
• doubt
• uneasiness
• distress
• agitation
• disquiet
• mistrust
• funk
• disquietude
• perturbation
• solicitude
• anxiousness
• pessimism
• wariness
• disturbance
• scruple
• defeatism
• presentiment
• premonition
• suspiciousness
• foreknowledge
• incertitude
• presage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anticipation
• excitement
• hope
• confidence
• hopefulness
• optimism
• sanguinity

2

as in fear

the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger

we were filled with dread when we saw the rapids we would be rafting down

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fear
• anxiety
• fearfulness
• panic
• terror
• trepidation
• horror
• fright
• worry
• scare
• dismay
• alarm
• concern
• pang
• nervousness
• phobia
• apprehension
• creeps
• agitation
• twinge
• jitters
• consternation
• disquiet
• funk
• perturbation
• qualm
• timidity
• willies
• cowardice
• discomposure
• timorousness
• faintheartedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confidence
• assurance
• boldness
• aplomb
• self-confidence
• courage
• daring
• fearlessness
• fortitude
• bravery
• self-assurance
• valor
• gallantry
• intrepidity
• stoutness
• hardihood
• nerve
• audacity
• guts
• intrepidness
• courageousness
• dauntlessness
• doughtiness

3

as in terror

something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason

speaking in public is a perennial dread for many people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terror
• plague
• torment
• curse
• bugbear
• enemy
• bugaboo
• ogre
• spirit
• demon
• bête noire
• specter
• horror
• bogey
• monster
• fright
• black beast
• apparition
• ghost
• phantom
• wraith
• hobgoblin
• horrible
• phantasm
• incubus
• spook
• banshee
• ghoul
• imp
• bane
• bogeyman
• devil
• scourge
• poltergeist
• abomination
• shade
• fiend
• monstrosity
• anathema

dread

3 of 3

verb

as in to fear

Related Words

• fear
• apprehend
• perceive
• caution
• preview
• descry
• alert
• forewarn
• envision
• visualize
• discern
• envisage
• predict
• foresee
• foreshadow
• prophesy
• divine
• foretoken
• forecast
• presage
• prefigure
• anticipate
• foretell
• prognosticate
• augur
• prevision
• foreknow
• forefeel

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

Recent Examples of dread

Adjective

The Guthrie family has been living what millions of families dread. —Neal K. Shah, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026

Most longtime famous people avoid eye contact and dread interaction — or, like the great Pete Townshend, are warm and likable in person but also hold the view that a certain elusiveness is an essential part of their art and their appeal. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

Noun

Fear and dread stalked employees working at the CSCU central office. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026

So as Nuggets Nation wades through the dread and the disappointment, president Josh Kroenke has to be prepared to ask tough questions. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 May 2026

Verb

Some practitioners dread intense classes that require nutrition that leads to real improvements. —William Jones, Ascend Agency, 13 Apr. 2026

An ominous, inexplicable sound that floods dread into your every waking step, and that will eventually drive you to suicide or murder? —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026