fear 1 of 2

noun

ˈfir How to pronounce fear (audio)
Definition of fearnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fear

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fear distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fear are alarm, dread, fright, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When might alarm be a better fit than fear?

The words alarm and fear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

In what contexts can dread take the place of fear?

The synonyms dread and fear are sometimes interchangeable, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

Where would fright be a reasonable alternative to fear?

While the synonyms fright and fear are close in meaning, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When can panic be used instead of fear?

The words panic and fear can be used in similar contexts, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is terror a more appropriate choice than fear?

In some situations, the words terror and fear are roughly equivalent. However, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How are the words trepidation and dread related as synonyms of fear?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

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 fear
Noun
To vote in free elections without a gun to their head, to walk into a balloting place without fear of reprisal decide the direction of this country. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 Bitcoin recently rebounded above $60,000 after a significant year-long decline, despite earlier fears and a 50% value loss. — Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Verb
Yesterday, Garcia testified that King feared Goodloe’s husband Dan Milam would plant child pornography on his computer. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026 And some fear the president will use the SAVE America Act against them should the bill not pass, and the party loses control of the Senate in November. — David Hickey, NBC news, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear
  1. anxiety
  2. worry
  3. dread
  4. concern
  5. panic
  6. unease
  7. terror
Noun
  • And at times members of the congregation thank her and others for casting aside those anxieties and keeping this place going.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • That uncertainty allows anxiety to grow because your brain naturally wants answers that do not yet exist.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • Those worries make sense, and understanding how bird flu spreads and what to watch for is the best way to protect your flock and yourself.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Elevation invites visitors to carve wishes, worries, and hopes into the church pews.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • Unlike the 1960 film, where Mizuno narrates his own tragedy, Yeon and Katayama’s new Vapor is an object of mystery and dread rather than the story’s protagonist.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
  • Without a sense of dread and horror, From just becomes a kind of supernatural soap opera where everyone is angry at one another all the time.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • To use available resources to block line of sight from the American Glass Research International complex to Trump, despite identifying this line of sight as a concern.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Over in the geopolitical front, fresh escalating tensions draw concern as Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, prompting Poland to scramble jets while Finland restricted airspace.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Messaging is also critical, given the impact of panic-buying.
    — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • By then, CrowdStrike had fallen to the $90s, as panic had repeatedly ensued.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • To convey the family’s internal unease, Cárdenas landed on a number of devices that were subtle but significant in terms of changing the optics of the series.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 July 2026
  • Declassified British documents from the 1960s revealed government unease over the presence of the micronation, as well as eventually shelved plans to bomb it.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
Definition of unease
Noun
  • Thibault in a news conference Tuesday said that authorities believe the incident was not related to terror.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 30 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, frightful aftershocks continued to rock the area, sowing terror in a population already reaching the limits of endurance.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of terror

Browse Nearby Words

fealty
fear
feared
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Cite this Entry

“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fear

Nglish: Translation of fear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fear

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