FEARFUL Synonyms: 243 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fearful' different from other adjectives like it?

The words afraid and apprehensive are common synonyms of fearful . While all three words mean "disturbed by fear," fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament. // the child is fearful of loud noises

Q: When can 'afraid' be used instead of 'fearful'?

While the synonyms afraid and fearful are close in meaning, afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance. // afraid to speak the truth

Q: When is it sensible to use 'apprehensive' instead of 'fearful'?

The synonyms apprehensive and fearful are sometimes interchangeable, but apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger. // apprehensive of being found out

fearful

adjective

ˈfir-fəl

Definition of fearful

as in terrifying

causing fear the fearful roar of a lion

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in timid

easily frightened the stray cat that we took in is still fearful, even around us

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect the fearful wind and cold simply made being outside a miserable experience

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in afraid

filled with fear or dread fearful of venturing out onto the dark highway, the stranded motorist decided to wait in the car for help

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fearful different from other adjectives like it?

The words afraid and apprehensive are common synonyms of fearful. While all three words mean "disturbed by fear," fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament.

the child is fearful of loud noises

When can afraid be used instead of fearful?

While the synonyms afraid and fearful are close in meaning, afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance.

afraid to speak the truth

When is it sensible to use apprehensive instead of fearful?

The synonyms apprehensive and fearful are sometimes interchangeable, but apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger.

apprehensive of being found out

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 fearful Despite a strong climate track record, Starmer had avoided talking much about the issue publicly, fearful of how voters would receive it. — Justin Worland, Time, 26 June 2026 Some have encouraged online attendance, while others have offered help doing errands such as grocery shopping for people too fearful to leave their homes. — Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 Many children also become extremely anxious, angry, and fearful, Mendoza said. — Claudia Boyd-Barrett, CBS News, 18 June 2026 This finding specifically held true for people with fearful and preoccupied attachment styles, two subtypes of insecure attachment associated with a craving for intimacy but, respectively, a deep fear of it or a fear of rejection and abandonment. — Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fearful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearful

Adjective

That year, the Potomac River turned violent, as intense, heavy rains pushed the water to a terrifying, near-record flood level of 60,000 cubic feet per second.

— Jasmine Baehr , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Just like waiting for the release of the bull, the ride vehicle will pause for three seconds before a terrifying 285-foot drop.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

But where the Baron is timid and bumbling, Krasznahorkai is expansive, charming, and courtly.

— Merve Emre, New Yorker, 28 June 2026
Playing Mary Bennet — Elizabeth’s younger and more timid sister — Bruccoleri set out to portray the coming of age story of a Regency woman.

— Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 June 2026

Definition of timid

Adjective

Spain are a more understated attacking unit, and there’s a sense that while Lamine Yamal has been excellent, there is another gear for the Barcelona 18-year-old to find, which is fairly frightening for everyone else.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
For millions of individuals and businesses who rely on professional preparers, the answer portends a frightening prospect if the return preparer is dishonest.

— Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

The jockeys take on months of intensive training in order to ride in the Ladies’ Race.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
On the flip side, semiconductor manufacturing is one of the most complex and energy-intensive industrial processes in the world, with emissions projected to reach 277 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026

Definition of intensive

Adjective

In May, a frightened horse rammed into another carriage, causing the vehicle to flip over, injuring the driver.

— ANDREA SACHS THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026
Rodríguez acknowledged that many remain too frightened to return home even after inspections declared some buildings safe.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 June 2026

Definition of frightened

Adjective

The Show Has Largely Lost Its Fear Factor The first and second seasons of From were scary.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
France’s starting lineup is scary and their depth isn’t any less terrifying, and this is without Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike who is currently sidelined through injury.

— Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of scary

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

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Synonyms of fearful

adjective

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