1
as in anxiety
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
the sight of the headless horseman filled the schoolmaster with fear
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worry
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
fear for her family's safety drove her to seek help from neighbors she hardly knew
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety
her friends feared that she was dating a guy who was all wrong for her
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fear
Tracy J. Wholf, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2025
And learning how to adapt and how to provide the real solutions to the concerns and fears in coal communities would be a more effective strategy than promising them a return that isn't going to happen.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2025
Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Experts fear that such a boost in demand for Brazilian soy, coupled with moves to cut environmental policies in soy-producing Brazilian states, could drive further deforestation.
—Sarah Sax, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fear
Noun
Many in the scientific community have begun to talk about how to move forward, but fears remain that the Trump administration will proceed with its own report, assigning authors that represent alternative viewpoints on climate change.
—Tracy J. Wholf, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2025
And learning how to adapt and how to provide the real solutions to the concerns and fears in coal communities would be a more effective strategy than promising them a return that isn't going to happen.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Some public service workers on the verge of retirement or career changes are postponing those plans, fearing that a job switch could jeopardize their PSLF eligibility while their forgiveness applications languish.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Experts fear that such a boost in demand for Brazilian soy, coupled with moves to cut environmental policies in soy-producing Brazilian states, could drive further deforestation.
—Sarah Sax, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear
Noun
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Hiking in nature has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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While immediate inflation concerns have eased, the current administration’s assertive tariff policies are reigniting these anxieties, potentially leading to future economic instability.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Not Enough People Are Watching ‘NYT Mini’ Clues And Answers For Saturday, April 26 New Google Leak Reveals Subscription Changes For Gemini AI There is no shortage of worries for European auto manufacturers.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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These worries lead people to make a series of decisions to delay having children, with hopes of having them in the future.—
Lisa Hagen,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The arrests came after town halls across the country have become heated, as constituents from both parties expressed concern over President Donald Trump's swift and far-reaching staffing cuts.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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Chris Newman, a lawyer representing the deportee, added that his primary concern was Abrego Garcia's access to counsel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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When the slasher eventually appears, stealing the group’s car before murdering them with a humorous bluntness, there is also a real atmosphere of dread.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
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But his ailment looked to be grave enough to warrant dread.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The angst about the Fed’s independence on Monday came against a backdrop of investors’ unease about the global economy.—
Danielle Kaye,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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Its grand facade, looming over the misty abyss of Tequendama Falls, is the kind of place that invites amazement and a little unease.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Residents rushed out of homes and buildings in panic, the Associated Press reported.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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Some critics and analysts warn that the president removing the chair of the Federal Reserve, which has traditionally operated with independence from the government, would cause panic in the markets.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack at an El Paso Walmart in 2019 will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history and the worst domestic terror attack on Hispanics that the country has ever seen.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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The incidents have dramatically increased after Oct. 7 (Hamas terror attacks), but the trend was already increasing prior to that.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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