as in worrying
to experience concern or anxiety
her friends feared that she was dating a guy who was all wrong for her
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Recent Examples of fearing
Among VenApp users who support the government’s aims is a resident of a slum on the outskirts of Caracas who spoke anonymously, fearing government retaliation for speaking to a foreign journalist and retribution from neighbors who oppose Maduro.
—
Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
God-fearing Florentines initially banned Arabic numerals, but suppression rarely works, particularly if a new technology is capturing people’s imaginations.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Many haven't yet returned to their areas, fearing they could soon be displaced once again.
—USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
That was an example of how Sunderland elected to play to their own strengths, rather than fearing Chelsea’s.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
With the agents fearing Parias could hit them with his Camry or dislodge it from between their vehicles, one opened fire, prosecutors said.
—Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
How can a kindly, God-fearing, and ascetic novice monk compete against that?
—Karl Ove Knausgaard, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Royalists fled the country, fearing legal and physical danger.
—Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Many of my tax-paying constituents are fearful of what might happen at their next immigration check-in, and many small businesses are going out of business because their customers are no longer shopping, fearing federal immigration raids.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
God-fearing Florentines initially banned Arabic numerals, but suppression rarely works, particularly if a new technology is capturing people’s imaginations.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Many haven't yet returned to their areas, fearing they could soon be displaced once again.
—USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
That was an example of how Sunderland elected to play to their own strengths, rather than fearing Chelsea’s.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
With the agents fearing Parias could hit them with his Camry or dislodge it from between their vehicles, one opened fire, prosecutors said.
—Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
How can a kindly, God-fearing, and ascetic novice monk compete against that?
—Karl Ove Knausgaard, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
Royalists fled the country, fearing legal and physical danger.
—Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Many of my tax-paying constituents are fearful of what might happen at their next immigration check-in, and many small businesses are going out of business because their customers are no longer shopping, fearing federal immigration raids.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearing
worrying
Verb
-
In Tokyo, travelers can explore the bustling neighborhoods of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku, admire cutting-edge architecture, stroll through peaceful Japanese gardens, and experience vibrant nightlife without worrying about personal safety.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Devices stay online without worrying about draining the car’s starter battery.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearing. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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