dread 1 of 3

dread

2 of 3

noun

1
2
3

dread

3 of 3

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
Murphy was diagnosed with terminal cancer, leaving Shelton and her husband with the decision that every pet owner dreads. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025 Many people dread meal prep, but streamlining your kitchen can help make this chore move a bit faster, Kamat explains. Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
Noun
The issue then, is that the mineral UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that create that shield are naturally white powders known to deliver the white cast many of us so dread. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 July 2025 Inside the country, optimism and dread wrestle for the soul of a people. Nazanin Boniadi, Time, 17 June 2025
Verb
The anxiety and dread about AI potentially displacing many Hollywood workers found a new vehicle in the overhaul of a pop culture texts considered sacred. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025 From the start, part of the early Axis victories came in the form of existential dread. Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dread
Adjective
  • Philip Bunting’s new picture book uses this tall tale as a starting point for a funny and sweet story about a misunderstood dropbear and a little bird who’s determined to discover if the rumors about Dropbear’s terrifying behavior are true.
    Caroline Carlson September 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Set largely inside the White House, the film imagines the terrifying scenario of an imminent nuclear missile strike on the United States by an unknown adversary, forcing military and civilian leaders to make impossible decisions under crushing time pressure.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The prospect of governments being ousted in Tokyo and Paris fueled further uncertainty, while investors voiced worry over expansive deficit spending in London and Berlin.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • My worry is that inaction is not a strategy.
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The shocking attack at Minneapolis’ Annunciation Church again raises familiar questions and fears about safety in houses of worship.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
  • According to Bautch, several neighbors have expressed fear of the merger, sharing concerns that the resources Clarke Square neighbors currently receive through CSNI will dwindle if the neighborhood is integrated under VIA CDC’s umbrella.
    Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • London — Large crowds of people protesting the British government’s decision to ban the activist group Palestine Action gathered in London’s Parliament Square on Saturday, in a show of continuing support since it was designated as a terror organization in July.
    Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
  • For Bear, the new arrangement is great about 99 percent of the time… the only drawback is that Nikki occasionally snaps back into her old self and screams in utter terror for a few seconds, before resuming the love-bombing.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Thunderstorms and lightning, very very frightening.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Since the release of 2013's The Conjuring, the frightening franchise has generally lost steam at the box office.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At the council meeting for the resolution, several migrants and their families spoke in favor of its passage, expressing their anxieties in day-to-day life, according to The Chronicle.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The starting point is learning to cultivate present-moment awareness and simply noticing your anxiety.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In 2003, the city of Chicago participated in TOPOFF 2, a national terrorism response exercise simulating a radiological attack in Seattle and the release of pneumonic plague in Chicago.
    Lauren Buitta, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Fantasy romance trilogy The Magic of the Lost barrels to its epic conclusion, following The Faithless’ one-two punch of the Withering plague returning to Balladaire and queen Luca asking soldier Touraine to be her general and her wife.
    Natalie Zutter September 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Building a new company is scary and comes with high risks, but these organizations are proving that success is always possible, and age is just a number.
    Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • And production budgets are usually modest, making for some scary-good profit margins.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dread. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dread

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!