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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of fear
Spriha Srivastava, CNBC, 10 July 2025
Fifty years ago, Jaws kept scores of people away from the ocean–the primal fear of what lurks beneath, a terrifying soundtrack dominated by two low notes, and the constant need for a bigger boat.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 July 2025
Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Right now the Republican-majority Congress seems to fear Trump more than the voters, perhaps no surprise given the voter disinterest seen in our poll.
—Matt Motta, Scientific American, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fear
Noun
Rather than basing trades on company fundamentals or earnings outlooks, many investors appear to be reacting to market trends and peer activity — a pattern commonly associated with FOMO, or fear of missing out.
—Spriha Srivastava, CNBC, 10 July 2025
Fifty years ago, Jaws kept scores of people away from the ocean–the primal fear of what lurks beneath, a terrifying soundtrack dominated by two low notes, and the constant need for a bigger boat.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 July 2025
Verb
In 1963, John F. Kennedy feared that the world would witness a burst in the number of nuclear weapons states, to as many as 20 or more.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Right now the Republican-majority Congress seems to fear Trump more than the voters, perhaps no surprise given the voter disinterest seen in our poll.
—Matt Motta, Scientific American, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear
Noun
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Your husband’s anxiety just makes her puppet strings easier to pull.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
5 July 2025
-
Jail records from 2019 show that Ornelas suffered from depression and anxiety and had previously been placed on suicide watch.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Noun
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Their visits to the ophthalmologist are now every six months, but Maggie admits the worry never quite fades.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
7 July 2025
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Meanwhile, there was hand-wringing in the NASCAR garage over headlines about high crime and worries about whether the Cup Series cars would be able to have a good show on such a narrow course.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Noun
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In the chaotic final stretch of the vote-a-rama, GOP leaders zeroed in on Murkowski, working to address her concerns about the bill’s financial effect on Alaska.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
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Senate Republicans also added a $25 billion fund to help rural hospitals after some GOP senators expressed concern about how they could be affected by the change to provider taxes.—
July 1,
CBS News,
1 July 2025
Noun
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But there is a clinging dread and mystery in these stories that will stay with you.—
Drew Broussard
July 8,
Literary Hub,
8 July 2025
-
For Lawler, the incident drove home the growing problem of space junk—and left her with a sense of dread that’s never quite gone away.—
Dan Falk,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 July 2025
Noun
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However, there is unease in the market about supply exceeding demand from 2027 onward, and a potential glut that could persist to the end of the decade dragging prices lower.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
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There is a certain unease that settles over a place when a familiar landmark begins to dissolve.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Although the frustration of supporters is shared internally, there is no sense of panic — which is unlikely to pacify fans understandably impatient for additions following three successive windows without a first-XI signing.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
3 July 2025
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Dog attack prompts panic in suburban community Police records and 911 calls show the attack caused panic and chaos in the suburban neighborhood.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors are adding new first-degree murder charges to those already faced by terror suspect, who remains jailed.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
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The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are concerned about the potential for copycat attacks from the New Orleans terror attack on New Year's Day, as well as homegrown extremists.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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