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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fear
Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Then again, her dreams of being a successful actor and comedian are dashed by an unwavering fear of public speaking (and lack of talent).
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 21 July 2025
Elizabeth Pearson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Consumers, fearing tariffs would indeed hike prices, raced to purchase new vehicles, with car companies stockpiling inventory in anticipation of the cost and demand increases.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fear
Noun
Several top Trump administration officials sold off stock market holdings in the days leading up to the president’s announcements of sweeping tariffs that sparked fears of a global trade war and rattled financial markets.
—Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Then again, her dreams of being a successful actor and comedian are dashed by an unwavering fear of public speaking (and lack of talent).
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 21 July 2025
Verb
The emotional labor of monitoring your words and actions, fearing accidental disclosure, or worrying about potential fallout can lead to chronic anxiety.
—Elizabeth Pearson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Consumers, fearing tariffs would indeed hike prices, raced to purchase new vehicles, with car companies stockpiling inventory in anticipation of the cost and demand increases.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear
Noun
-
This is the current situation: Certainly, a trend of appreciating precious metals is at work, but there is also the theme of ‘strategic and critical metals’ anxiety pushing platinum.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
This can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern for the dog.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
The details for Alphabet will be necessary, as the stock has been held back by worries that artificial intelligence (AI) will disrupt their search business.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
-
Optimism about the power of technology and innovation was mixed with worries about geopolitics and the state of civil society.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Privacy and security concerns with smart thermostats These programs also raise important data privacy concerns.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
-
In seconds, content appears without shipping or physical storage concerns.—
Vikrant Shaurya,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
16 July 2025
-
Anyone who has broken in a pair of sandals knows the dread of a blister after a day of walking, but that’s not an issue with this pair.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
Other countries were still expressing unease, however.—
Brit Morse,
Fortune,
6 July 2025
-
But progress on this front has been slow, most likely due to China’s increasing unease with Iranian foreign policy and doubts about its long-term stability.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
According to the report, the lightning strike left beachgoers, swimmers and surfers in a panic, and many ran for their cars in the immediate aftermath.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
-
Steven was there for Conrad in that moment too, finding him on the beach hyperventilating and talking him out of the panic to distract him.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Sami Al-Arian, a former University of South Florida professor who is associated with the Gaza Tribunal, admitted to conspiring to aid the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group in 2006.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
-
Gaza would be razed, much like Dresden or Hiroshima, in order to eliminate the danger of terror attacks on Israel coming from Gaza.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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