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
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Recent Examples of fear
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
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
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
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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
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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
Noun
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The letter is a sign of growing ties between religious and AI safety groups, which share some of the same worries.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
21 May 2025
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Treasury yields and the value of the U.S. dollar held relatively stable after a brief jolt Monday morning when Moody’s Ratings said the U.S. government no longer deserves a top-tier credit rating because of worries about its spiraling debt.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me?—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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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
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At night, the power was often cut, and guards would scream threats into the darkness, heightening dread and disorientation.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2025
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Anxiety is a feeling of fear and dread, often triggered by stressful situations, uncertainty, and perceived threats.12 People whose anxiety does not go away or gets worse over time may have an anxiety disorder.—
Emmanuella Ogbonna,
Health,
19 May 2025
Noun
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The concept has sparked controversy, unease, amazement and confusion.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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What does this say about our current unease with the political system?—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
16 May 2025
Noun
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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
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In 2019, staff at a facility in Phoenix called 911 in a panic after a patient—who was reportedly vegetative but may have been minimally conscious—unexpectedly gave birth.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
Noun
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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
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At the time, his House Un-American Activities Committee was causing undue terror around the nation, but thanks to Murrow’s newscasts on CBS, the junior senator from Wisconsin was ultimately investigated and censured by 1954.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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