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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fear
Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2025
Even those companies who do not have government contracts will take note of the rhetoric, and their behavior could be influenced by the fear it is intended to create.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 3 Feb. 2025
Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025
Today, with the U.S. confronting perhaps its starkest global-security challenges since the Cold War, many analysts fear that even one war would be too taxing.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fear 
Noun
That fear exists for her family, as well, the student said.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2025
Even those companies who do not have government contracts will take note of the rhetoric, and their behavior could be influenced by the fear it is intended to create.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
Even after taking Microsoft public in 1986 and landing on a Fortune cover that touted his influx of wealth, Gates was reluctant to celebrate his accomplishments — or even mark important company milestones, fearing complacency.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025
Today, with the U.S. confronting perhaps its starkest global-security challenges since the Cold War, many analysts fear that even one war would be too taxing.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear
Noun
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Yes, but: Heightened anxiety amid the administration's immigration crackdown has triggered dips in school attendance nationwide.—
Alex Golden,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
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The headline result here is pretty clear: people who are more physically active are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety now and in the future.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Last year, despite worries about overcapacity, Congress approved an expansion to Reagan airport, adding five more long-haul daily flights.—
Joann Muller,
Axios,
31 Jan. 2025
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That bump defrayed worries over declining iPhone sales, which not only missed LSEG estimates by the largest margin in two years but were also lower compared with a year earlier because of weakness in the Greater China market.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Following a similar antisemitic rant in 2022, which raised concerns for West’s mental wellbeing, the artist released an apology in Hebrew the next year.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2025
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The July incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, raised significant concerns about coordination between local and federal law enforcement.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Over the course of January 2025, Williams watched in dread as social media videos and news coverage emerged showing Southern California residents whose homes had been destroyed sifting through the rubble unmasked.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2025
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Green takes care with set-up and establishes good anticipatory dread, but doesn’t leave enough time to deliver on the horror.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The order sparked unease across the bureau as staff began to fear for their jobs, and concerns about the list becoming public have since become the subject of a lawsuit between FBI agents and the DOJ.—
Ashley Oliver,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
8 Feb. 2025
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Oakland political consultant Annie Eagan said the outstanding bill owed to her firm has become a source of growing unease.—
Jakob Rodgers,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Both Trump and the oil and gas industry—which donated tens of millions of dollars to his presidential campaign—seem to have recognized an opportunity in the panic.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2025
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What didn't help the passenger's level of panic was the turbulence her flight ran into.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But it has generally been marked by moments like the Canadian response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States.—
Matina Stevis-Gridneff,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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Also, the already well secured game and the surrounding area is under even more of a lockdown due to the terror attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day that saw 15 people dead when a truck drove straight into a celebrating crowd.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to fear
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Cite this Entry
“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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