as in terrifying
causing fear
every ship on the Spanish Main was terrified of running into the dread pirate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in worry
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
the dread felt by people awaiting bad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dread
Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Nov. 2025
But for all of the multiplex-friendly fun Wright’s conjuring with this over-the-top spin on dystopian sci-fi blockbusters, the prevailing feeling here is dread.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
In its worst forms, paranoia is a misapplication of the tools of attention, devotion, and care, scuttled by dread, the oppression of the unknown, and a lack of support.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Jan. 2026
The change will likely be welcome news to people around the country who dread regular cervical exams by their doctors, or those who struggle to see a doctor.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dread
Adjective
Special mention to lighting designer Anna Watson, who conjures dread from the darkness and casts a shadow at the top of the second act that confirms Lou isn’t crazy.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Nov. 2025
But for all of the multiplex-friendly fun Wright’s conjuring with this over-the-top spin on dystopian sci-fi blockbusters, the prevailing feeling here is dread.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
The filmmaker leans pop-comic rather than petrifying in his final draft, opting for earnestness that smothers atmospheric dread.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
In its worst forms, paranoia is a misapplication of the tools of attention, devotion, and care, scuttled by dread, the oppression of the unknown, and a lack of support.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
No need to keep track of your Allen keys or dread a move.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Jan. 2026
The change will likely be welcome news to people around the country who dread regular cervical exams by their doctors, or those who struggle to see a doctor.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dread
Adjective
-
Brandon Flynn Nothing is more terrifying than a late-night host desperate to boost ratings.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
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The former Clemson star has discovered a fondness for poa annua, the strain of grass that get bumpy with spikes and footprints and late afternoon growth, and can be downright terrifying on short par putts when the greens are this fast.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its stock has been under pressure because of worries that competitors powered by artificial intelligence technology could upend its industry and take away customers.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But the new study—along with previous research—reiterates that worries of weight gain with mango consumption aren’t substantiated.—
Lauren Manaker MS,
Health,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That sparked fears that AI tools could eat into existing companies’ business models and customer bases.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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But the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have also stoked fear that people who record or otherwise monitor federal immigration operations risk arrest.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
What first reads like random abuse escalates into a relentless campaign of terror against Mats and his family, as the situation begins to uncover a dark, multi-layered story rooted more than 40 years earlier.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But also the pesky ones, like your terror and your existential dread.—
Catherine Mevs,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Trish Walters of Portland, Oregon, another passenger, recounted the frightening incident on social media.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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As unsettling events ripple through the town, Henry begins to grapple with the frightening possibility that he may be connected to the darkness taking hold.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The dueling anxieties have been brewing for months.—
Jeran Wittenstein,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Remember that meaning can vary widely from person to person—for example, a dog can mean safety and loyalty to one person or fear and anxiety to another.—
Lisa Wong Macabasco,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Bible states that as a result, God unleashed 10 plagues against Egypt and its people.—
Seth Jacobson,
wickedlocal.com,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Collins, a 9/11 truther and QAnon convert who sports a black MAGA hat and custom dental fangs, moved to rural Shawmut, Montana, in 2016 to build a bug-out — an off-grid fortress suitable for waiting out a plague or world war — and raise horses with his wife, Starla.—
Tessa Stuart,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That was such a terrible shock and really upsetting, horrifying, and scary.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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There’s such a faithful sense of tone to the book, which is uncanny and scary.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dread. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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