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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fear
arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Schools were previously somewhat protected from immigration enforcement, but are now open to ICE, leading some immigrant students and families to feel heightened anxiety and fear in the pursuit of education.
—Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2025
Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025
Flint and other reproductive rights advocates fear that Weldon could follow through on that Project 2025 suggestion, and that the data collected could be used to identify and penalize providers or even patients.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fear
Noun
President Donald Trump officially increased tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25% on Wednesday, promising the taxes would help create U.S. factory jobs at a time when his seesawing tariff threats are jolting the stock market and raising fears of an economic slowdown.
—arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Schools were previously somewhat protected from immigration enforcement, but are now open to ICE, leading some immigrant students and families to feel heightened anxiety and fear in the pursuit of education.
—Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
But Democrats also fear the fallout of a lapse in funding, which could serve as the pretext for the Trump administration to make even deeper cuts across the federal workforce.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025
Flint and other reproductive rights advocates fear that Weldon could follow through on that Project 2025 suggestion, and that the data collected could be used to identify and penalize providers or even patients.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear
Noun
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In the film, Shear stars as Sam, a once-promising law student whose anxiety has slowly chipped away at his confidence in all areas of his life.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
7 Mar. 2025
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One possibility is anxiety, which, according to Kaiser, feeds on avoidance.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Trade tensions and signs of slowing growth have led to worries that a recession could be looming.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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Those worries were only amplified by his State of the Union speech.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Recent layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, coupled with potential cuts and drastic changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have sparked widespread concern about the nation’s ability to respond to severe weather and natural disasters.—
Robert Shackelford,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
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There are also concerns about his defensive versatility.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Over the past few weeks, my family has watched with dread as the Trump administration has closed the borders of the United States to asylum seekers and refugees just like in World War II.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Feb. 2025
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For many, there's a feeling of dread associated with software updates to your favorite gadget.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
Ars Technica,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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However, the romantic narrative is punctuated by subtle moments of unease, each barely perceptible on its own but which, taken together, build into something rather more sinister.—
Stephanie Hirschmiller,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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More than a year later, the campus remains in a state of bewildered unease.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Uncertainty is scary, but fear, panic and worry add insult to injury—another layer of stress.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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Amid federal workforce layoffs and concerns about the economic impact of his trade policies—which have already sparked panic in the U.S. stock market—several CEOs have voiced doubts about the president's agenda.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Gadot has also become a controversial figure due to her public support of Israel, frequently speaking out in support of her native country since the Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas.—
Kirsten Chuba,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Mar. 2025
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Hamas is also holding the bodies of several other soldiers, most of whom were killed during the October 7 terror attack.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN,
15 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to fear
Cite this Entry
“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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