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
Coming from Hinton, this is not just another prediction in a technology industry crowded with hype and fear. — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Changes in Temporary Protected Status are leading to fears of detention and deportation by many immigrants in Miami, particularly members of the Haitian community whose work authorizations and legal status in the United States have now expired. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
Researchers fear 'undermining trial integrity' Billions of dollars are traded every week on the lightly regulated prediction market sites, where users bet on everything from movie reviews to elections to conflicts in the Middle East. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026 Mauro and Giulio Sattaflora had exchanged a hesitant glance, fearing another stroke. — Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 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
  • Validate their emotions by acknowledging any anxieties and feelings as normal.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Poor sleep in teens is tied to anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, weaker peer support and trouble getting through the school day.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • For some clubs that were running close to the wire under PSR, the shift will ease regulatory worries, as operating costs are now excluded.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Symptoms Symptoms can include sleeplessness, extreme worry about the baby or childbirth, restlessness and a racing heartbeat.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • Sort the genuine threats from the merely unpleasant ones, and a surprising amount of everyday dread will dissipate.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There is dread and sadness and also anger, not only on behalf of the usual alibi for caring about famous women’s bodies, those masses of impressionable teen-age girls, but on behalf of past and present selves.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • Connecticut Coalition for Pretrial Justice formed to press for reform of the cash bail system in Connecticut, something the group said keeps people behind bars not based on safety concerns but on their ability to pay.
    — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Reports have surfaced this week of mental health concerns aboard the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln as its crew endures more than 200 days without a port call during operations against Iran.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Cripps said her son was in Japan competing in a sporting event but called her in a panic.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The answer isn't panic, protectionism or slogans about winning the future.
    — Will Conaway, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • According to Mukkamala, those professional challenges heighten the personal unease some clinicians feel treating addiction patients.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Such talk seemed fanciful until this week, despite long-term unease with Infantino’s style and previous attempts to force through unpopular projects.
    — Graham Dunbar, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of unease
Noun
  • The official did not provide further details on the alleged association with terror organizations.
    — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • An experience that demands the big screen, featuring even more astounding effects choreography than its predecessor, Godzilla Minus Zero cranks up the terror while always keeping its post-WWII Japan narrative at human eye level.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 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 14 Aug. 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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