as in terrifying
causing fear
every ship on the Spanish Main was terrified of running into the dread pirate
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in worry
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
the dread felt by people awaiting bad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
we were filled with dread when we saw the rapids we would be rafting down
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in terror
something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason
speaking in public is a perennial dread for many people
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of dread
Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 5 Nov. 2024
Balancing these day-to-day tasks with feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and even dread can be overwhelming.
—Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Scott Phillips, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
But there is a sense of dread at times, particularly with headlines.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Brett Braley, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2024
Kumar dreads the winter months when pollution levels are heightened and people stay indoors.
—Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dread 
Adjective
New Yorkers came to the polls Tuesday in a final push fueled by a mix of anxiety, dread and a bit of cautious optimism voters in the Democratic stronghold lined up to cast Election Day ballots amid the prospect of a second term for former president Donald Trump.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 5 Nov. 2024
Balancing these day-to-day tasks with feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and even dread can be overwhelming.
—Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Nosferatu could have easily tipped into camp or outright silliness, but Eggers’ direction and visual aesthetic maintains a solemn tone of dread throughout the film.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
But there is a sense of dread at times, particularly with headlines.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
Published on December 21, 2024 Anyone who has read Thomas Mann’s classic The Magic Mountain has dreamed of (and dreaded) the idea of a rest cure in an isolated Swiss health resort.
—Brett Braley, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2024
Kumar dreads the winter months when pollution levels are heightened and people stay indoors.
—Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dread
Adjective
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What’s more terrifying than losing control of your physical and mental self as your most primal, animalistic instincts take the wheel?David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025
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The stability and flexibility around Josh Allen makes for a terrifying formula.Derrik Klassen, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Organizational dysfunction, the most crucial worry.Jacob Robinson, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
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Allowing just nine points to the Minnesota Vikings was a tremendous leap forward; the only worry is if the bye week will cool down what might just be the best offense in the league.Fox News Staff, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Over the course of 24 hours, the pair discuss fellow luminaries, navigate existential fears, and reflect on the joys and struggles of being an artist.Radhika Seth, Vogue, 11 Jan. 2025
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The bitcoin price dropped to around $92,000 per bitcoin, restarting a sell-off that had lost steam earlier this week amid fears of a looming bitcoin price crash.Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Since the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, Canadian cities have been disgraced by anti-Semitic incidents of accelerating violence.David Frum, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
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Fighting began in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, when the Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out a terror attack on Israel in which 1,200 people were killed.Alexander Smith, NBC News, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The glorious few who still worry about the decline of Palm Beach society speculated wildly that Trump was planning to legalize gambling and build a casino, or — the truly frightening possibility — subdivide his acreage and sell houses.Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
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In a cast full of mothers, the women are naturally sympathetic, triggered by the idea that something that frightening could happen to them too – only to be a little flummoxed at the full picture as more details started to come out.Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Studies point to lower grades and higher rates of car accidents, athletic injuries, risky behaviors, substance abuse, obesity, depression, and anxiety.Lynne Peeples, TIME, 6 Jan. 2025
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No place does this mix of anxiety and forward-looking techno-evangelism spring forth more profusely than at CES.Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 5 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Crack replaced political corruption as the No. 1 plague at the street level.Cary Goodman, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2025
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The Russian government is avoiding mobilization like the plague, engendering clever (but still desperate) ways to pad the ranks.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Which sounds kind of nerdy and scary simultaneously.Davey Winder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
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While the unknown is scary, there is magic in transforming and becoming a better version of ourselves.Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dread
Cite this Entry
“Dread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dread. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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