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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The study, published in the journal iScience, found that the pets process happy, scared, and angry emotions differently and that dogs can interpret differences between negative emotions, such as fear and sadness or fear and anger. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Aug. 2026 Out of that silence grows a fear larger than the enemy itself. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
Worldwide coral bleaching events have coincided with major El Niño events, including the most recent Super El Niño from 2015 to 2016, and scientists fear another one is coming this year. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Things get a little too close for comfort though when Jake disappears and is feared to have become the newest prey of the Whisper Man. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 27 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
  • Common side effects include dizziness, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, headache, insomnia and loss of appetite.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts observe that market anxiety surrounding mega-cap tech companies has escalated markedly in recent weeks.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • Solar attracted the most investment among renewable energy subsectors during the first six months of the year as countries rush to build capacity as worries grow that global wars will continue squeezing energy supplies.
    — Eugenia Perozo, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Research shows, however, that the public is always a little bit concerned about corruption, and that these worries often do not correspond with particular actions by politicians.
    — Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • The joy Lisa has with her RHUGT cast compared with the dread her RHOSLC cast seems to bring her really bums me out — especially because of how much of this trip is championing the sisterhood of Housewives.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Along with this came the profound dread that straight white men (like me) felt about saying a single wrong sentence and facing the possibility of permanent exile without forgiveness.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • Other areas of concern are the library system's self-check-out kiosks, instances in which minor teenagers handle materials while working or volunteering at a branch, and platforms for loaning electronic materials, Adams said.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Clever and snappy, fresh and silly, a winning combination of classic Looney Tunes gags and contemporary concerns (the press notes mention many influences including, no joke, The Insider).
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • There’s a lot of panic right now about the bumpy intersection of artificial intelligence and art-making.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Unwilling to expose himself in this moment, Paul Baker juggles both of his competing personas, continuing the bro-y shouting but with a new panic in his voice and in Jack Innanen’s expressions.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • Years later, the actress Jenny McCarthy popularized the idea that parental unease about vaccines was being dismissed by the medical establishment.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Bocarsly acknowledged why government collection of Jewish identity data can create unease.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of unease
Noun
  • The video was released by Hamas in what hostage families described as psychological terror.
    — Bianna Golodryga, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • He was arrested by the police and convicted of spying for a terror plot against the network.
    — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fear

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fear

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