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fear

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verb

as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety her friends feared that she was dating a guy who was all wrong for her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fear distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fear are alarm, dread, fright, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When might alarm be a better fit than fear?

The words alarm and fear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

In what contexts can dread take the place of fear?

The synonyms dread and fear are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Where would fright be a reasonable alternative to fear?

While the synonyms fright and fear are close in meaning, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When can panic be used instead of fear?

The words panic and fear can be used in similar contexts, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is terror a more appropriate choice than fear?

In some situations, the words terror and fear are roughly equivalent. However, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How are the words trepidation and dread related as synonyms of fear?

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 fear
Noun
The Albanian people deserve free elections, not another manipulated outcome enforced through fear and political imprisonment. Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025 Key Background Trump announced a new slate of tariffs against all U.S. trading partners on April 2, sending stock markets in the U.S. and abroad into a tailspin, fueling recession fears and prompting some of his allies in the business community to speak out against the policy. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
Their task now was forging rapport with people who loathed and feared them: going door to door and introducing themselves, even to the gangsters on the corner. Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025 Worse yet, American automakers fear this is just the start of things to come. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear
Noun
  • As reported by First Post, Poland is holding a presidential election against a backdrop of growing security concerns, fueled by the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine and anxiety over a potential U.S. retreat from European defense commitments under President Donald Trump.
    Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
  • Although summer is usually the best time for relaxing, some grads might already be feeling the anxiety that comes with starting a new school or job.
    Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • Another request that was also denied spelled out similar worries.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
  • But that worry has gone into overdrive upon learning that Carlos’ body was found in the Truckee River.
    Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me?
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Key Takeaways Walmart warns tariffs will raise prices, triggering inflation concerns Markets seek tariff clarity; volatility trends suggest cautious optimism Retail earnings next week may reveal shifting consumer spending habits On Thursday, stocks closed mixed with the S&P 500 up 0.4%.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Boom!, the semi-autobiographical musical from Rent creator Jonathan Larson, as a hungry young composer racing toward his 30th birthday with more than a note of dread.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 7 May 2025
  • Developing Greater Self-Awareness Identifying behavioral signs of anxiety — such as physical restlessness, changes in eating habits or a sense of dread — may provide useful insights.
    Diane Winiarski, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The concept has sparked controversy, unease, amazement and confusion.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • What does this say about our current unease with the political system?
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Heck, even fear of long lines at bars and clubs have been downgraded from panic to the typical annoyance.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 17 May 2025
  • Over the decades, attitudes have begun to shift from panic and fear to curiosity and respect.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • If that’s true, then the rate of growth of AI startups should be striking terror into corporate board rooms around the world.
    Andrew Binns, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • How long did that transition from joy to terror take?
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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