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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 People leaders are increasingly fearful that AI is putting them out of a job, as the number of people working in employment services is down. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 Even Haitians who have been naturalized or hold green cards are keeping a low profile, fearful of being caught in an immigration raid. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026 Mukhopadhyay said the minister’s resignation has made people less fearful of protesting against a government that critics have long accused of suppressing dissent. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 In some families, that’s left them fearful to even go outside, and some are even considering leaving Gilroy or returning to Mexico. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fearful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearful

Adjective

Two Fort Worth school district students were placed on the wrong bus home this week, creating what one parent described as a terrifying situation.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
The immersive doc captures the duality of an extreme lifestyle with the euphoric highs of intercepting a tornado to the terrifying lows of being overtaken by one inside their vehicle as Timmer pushes his mind and body to the limit.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

The retail offering was oversubscribed 5,500 times, underscoring intense investor demand for the profitable company, which shipped 5,500 humanoids in 2025.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
That points to the conclusion that the pain for Main Street is likely to remain intense for the foreseeable future, even as Wall Street continues to prosper.

— Matt Peterson, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

But the ordeal was frightening and bewildering for Cliffel, who still didn't know what had caused her behavior.

— Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
There’s a frightening imbalance in how the mainstream media report on these candidates, which tends to take it pretty easy on the latter.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

And, once selected, these leaders adhere to a strict code of conduct and undergo intensive training and certification requirements, all of which prize discipline and self-regulation.

— Emelia S. Probasco, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2026
They were concerned rezoning the property would set off a reaction of more intensive zoning for the corridor.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensive

Adjective

Hilton’s sister, Barbara Giarraffa, frightened fans and TikTok moderators were among those who called authorities.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Parents at evacuation centers in the village said many children were afraid to return indoors and woke up frightened whenever aftershocks rattled the island.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightened

Adjective

After the crew leaves the island with the sun god’s cattle, the seas are vicious, scary, and violent.

— Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
The 13-year-old has his life back after a scary ordeal with epilepsy that seemed to come out of nowhere three years ago.

— Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of scary

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“Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearful. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fearful

adjective

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