as in worries
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 fears
Rising Russia fears NATO’s European members are increasing their state of readiness amid concerns that Russia – whose economy has been placed on a wartime footing by its invasion of Ukraine – could attempt to extend its military reach into European Union territory.
—
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
The phone, not the gun, is the weapon the administration fears.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Unless one hates and fears the same people the leaders in the Legislature hate and fear, one is disqualified from employment.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026
Each bloc fears that regulation means unilateral disarmament.
—Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
But fears that international trade could create economic uncertainty limited American farmers’ interest in overseas markets.
—Peter Simons, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
The consequence of a Super Bowl-esque crowd, Navarro fears, is that FIFA is prioritizing maximizing ticket revenue over trying to maximize long-term growth of soccer by bringing new fans, new demographics to the global event.
—Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Bankers shouldn't be surprised that now Trump — who fears that Republicans could suffer in midterm elections in 2026 — would try to regain a bit of populist popularity with a 10 percent cap on credit card rates.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
But its primary concern with instability in Iran is likely the risk of unrest in its neighbor’s Kurdish regions, which Ankara fears could spill across the border and reignite separatist sentiment.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
The phone, not the gun, is the weapon the administration fears.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Unless one hates and fears the same people the leaders in the Legislature hate and fear, one is disqualified from employment.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026
Each bloc fears that regulation means unilateral disarmament.
—Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
But fears that international trade could create economic uncertainty limited American farmers’ interest in overseas markets.
—Peter Simons, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
The consequence of a Super Bowl-esque crowd, Navarro fears, is that FIFA is prioritizing maximizing ticket revenue over trying to maximize long-term growth of soccer by bringing new fans, new demographics to the global event.
—Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Bankers shouldn't be surprised that now Trump — who fears that Republicans could suffer in midterm elections in 2026 — would try to regain a bit of populist popularity with a 10 percent cap on credit card rates.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
But its primary concern with instability in Iran is likely the risk of unrest in its neighbor’s Kurdish regions, which Ankara fears could spill across the border and reignite separatist sentiment.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fears
worries
Verb
-
Reyes worries the winter storm gripping North Texas will have serious consequences for her finances.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Isabel worries about a golf ball hitting her amid the customers’ wild swings.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fears. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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