as in worries
to experience concern or anxiety
her friends feared that she was dating a guy who was all wrong for her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 fears
Another camp on Wall Street on Wednesday fears that a rate cut could actually lead to some immediate downside pressure, maybe as soon as today.
—
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Silva fears Florida’s policy is an example of politics taking precedence over long-standing scientific evidence that vaccines are safe and effective.
—Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
China’s falling consumer prices deepen deflation fears Consumer prices fell more than expected and into negative territory for the first time in months, while factory deflation persisted, adding to the challenges Chinese economic policymakers are facing.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Egypt, which built its own Aswan High Dam on the Nile in the 1960s, fears the GERD could restrict its water supply during droughts, and could encourage the construction of other upstream dams.
—CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
While the water didn’t reach his home, Clem fears worse flooding in the future once the new houses are built.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
Stires fears that outcome and feels like time is running out before the agency makes that move.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
Emoto, who is himself an acting legend in Japan, portrays Kikuo Hasegawa, a once great screen star who fears he has been forgotten.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
Now, amid the federal overhaul, Morgan fears the VA will toss aside her family and other families' cases.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Silva fears Florida’s policy is an example of politics taking precedence over long-standing scientific evidence that vaccines are safe and effective.
—Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
China’s falling consumer prices deepen deflation fears Consumer prices fell more than expected and into negative territory for the first time in months, while factory deflation persisted, adding to the challenges Chinese economic policymakers are facing.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Egypt, which built its own Aswan High Dam on the Nile in the 1960s, fears the GERD could restrict its water supply during droughts, and could encourage the construction of other upstream dams.
—CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
While the water didn’t reach his home, Clem fears worse flooding in the future once the new houses are built.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
Stires fears that outcome and feels like time is running out before the agency makes that move.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
Emoto, who is himself an acting legend in Japan, portrays Kikuo Hasegawa, a once great screen star who fears he has been forgotten.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
Now, amid the federal overhaul, Morgan fears the VA will toss aside her family and other families' cases.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fears
worries
Verb
-
The growing number of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) also worries space sustainability experts, who warn about the increasing risk of orbital collisions.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
But the immigration worries – with threats of arrest, detention, and deportation for workers – are just one way Trump’s policies are holding back construction.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fears. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share