fear

1 the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger the sight of the headless horseman filled the schoolmaster with fear Synonyms alarm (also alarum), anxiety, dread, fearfulness, fright, horror, panic, scare, terror, trepidation Related Words phobia; creeps, jitters, nervousness, willies; pang, qualm, twinge; agitation, apprehension, consternation, discomposure, disquiet, funk, perturbation; concern, dismay, worry; cowardice, faintheartedness, timidity, timorousness Near Antonyms aplomb, assurance, boldness, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence; bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, fortitude, gallantry, hardihood, intrepidity, intrepidness, stoutness, valor; audacity, guts, nerve

2 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 agita, agitation, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, concernment, disquiet, disquietude, anxiety, nervosity, nervousness, perturbation, solicitude, sweat, unease, uneasiness, worryRelated Words strain, stress, tension; alarm (also alarum), anguish, consternation, desperateness, desperation, discomfort, discomposure, dismay, distraction, distress, disturbance, edginess, franticness, hand-wringing, jitters, jumpiness, panic, tremor; angst, fearfulness, torment, upset, vexation; cold feet, doubt, dread, foreboding, incertitude, misgiving, presentiment, suspense, uncertainty; compunction, qualm, scrupleNear Antonyms calm, calmness, content, contentment, ease, easiness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, placidness, quiet, quietude, sereneness, serenity, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness; comfort, consolation, relief, solaceAntonyms unconcern