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
Courtesy Cindy Stevens; Courtesy LaTisha Brown And in Ohio, where lawmakers are pursuing an aggressive Medicaid fraud crackdown, LaTisha Brown, 43, who has cerebral palsy, fears people with legitimate caregiving needs will be caught in the dragnet.
—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
But as someone put it, a politics that fears joy is deeply insecure.
—
Arminka Helic,
Time,
30 June 2026
For decades, the Iranian people have lived under a government that fears freedom above all else.
—
Shaun McCutcheon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2026
While 54% of Californians reportedly support it, the measure faces significant opposition, including from Governor Newsom, who fears economic harm from billionaire departures.
—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Several high-profile billionaires have relocated to lower-tax states such as Texas and Florida, fueling opponents’ fears that the state’s tax base could erode further.
—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
19 June 2026
Relapse fears weigh on you every single day.
—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
Longtime transatlantic partners now differ on issues ranging from the conduct and conclusion of the Iran war to support for Ukraine; meanwhile, Japan fears the US is prioritizing accommodating China over backing its Asian allies.
—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
Florida has yet to actually import any drugs from Canada, in part due to pushback from the Canadian pharmaceutical industry and fears the program will affect Canada’s drug supply.
—
Lizzy Lawrence,
STAT,
15 June 2026
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
But as someone put it, a politics that fears joy is deeply insecure.
—
Arminka Helic,
Time,
30 June 2026
For decades, the Iranian people have lived under a government that fears freedom above all else.
—
Shaun McCutcheon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2026
While 54% of Californians reportedly support it, the measure faces significant opposition, including from Governor Newsom, who fears economic harm from billionaire departures.
—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Several high-profile billionaires have relocated to lower-tax states such as Texas and Florida, fueling opponents’ fears that the state’s tax base could erode further.
—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
19 June 2026
Relapse fears weigh on you every single day.
—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
Longtime transatlantic partners now differ on issues ranging from the conduct and conclusion of the Iran war to support for Ukraine; meanwhile, Japan fears the US is prioritizing accommodating China over backing its Asian allies.
—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
Florida has yet to actually import any drugs from Canada, in part due to pushback from the Canadian pharmaceutical industry and fears the program will affect Canada’s drug supply.
—
Lizzy Lawrence,
STAT,
15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fears
worries
Verb
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As neighborhoods have grown closer, Gordon worries not only about the animals’ safety, but also about the rescue’s long-term stability.
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Humans Still Need To Connect The Dots One thing that worries me is how quickly people assume AI understands consequences.
Cite this Entry
“Fears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fears. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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