1
as in terrifying
causing fear
the fearful roar of a lion
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2
as in timid
easily frightened
the stray cat that we took in is still fearful, even around us
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3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the fearful wind and cold simply made being outside a miserable experience
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4
as in afraid
filled with fear or dread
fearful of venturing out onto the dark highway, the stranded motorist decided to wait in the car for help
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fearful
Most are extremely fearful, under socialized, and in need of long-term behavioral support.
—
Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has played a significant role in this shift, with many employees feeling fearful of how the technology might impact their future.
—Larry Mohl, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Burnsville officers went to Warren’s home around 9:30 a.m. after her sister called 911, explaining that Warren had called her during a fearful moment, deputies said.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025
Without psychological safety, however, discomfort, conflict and ruthless competition can lead to a fearful workforce.
—Sanjeev Menon, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has played a significant role in this shift, with many employees feeling fearful of how the technology might impact their future.
—Larry Mohl, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Burnsville officers went to Warren’s home around 9:30 a.m. after her sister called 911, explaining that Warren had called her during a fearful moment, deputies said.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025
Without psychological safety, however, discomfort, conflict and ruthless competition can lead to a fearful workforce.
—Sanjeev Menon, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearful
Adjective
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May has been equally terrifying for Ukrainian civilians.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
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As the mysterious contract killer Vincent, Cruise brings his usual on-screen qualities — strict professionalism, precise physicality, ruthless persistence — but turns them on their head to embody a terrifying, amoral murderer.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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Twilight was quite timid initially and hid under the bed for the first few days.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
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The Makos athletes also noticed that their parents were timid around water.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Biden's physical and mental fitness has been the subject of intense scrutiny during and since his time in office, with questions about the former president's age and well-being ultimately forcing him to abandon his 2024 reelection bid.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
19 May 2025
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Yet the overall focus is on the utopian community orbiting around the intense figurehead.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Moreover, Rocket has a relatively new CEO who wants to dominate the mortgage industry and is not afraid of technology, previously working at Intuit, PayPal, Groupon and Microsoft.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
24 May 2025
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The youngest cast member at the time, Williams set the tone for the raw emotion the show was not afraid to show over the years.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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Major cities like New York were already facing frightening death tolls that climbed higher each day—but that’s not what Eddington is about.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
17 May 2025
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And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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But Game 3 of the Western Conference final was a scary reminder that McDavid has another side to his offensive arsenal.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
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Unlike Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, this world is more foreboding than scary, but as guests quickly learn from its can’t-miss attraction Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, monsters still shouldn’t be crossed.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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With 4 million packages a day passing through American gateways using the de minimis exception, and around half of those shipments hailing from China, CBP is now contending with a much more intensive entry process for small shipments than it’s been accustomed to.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
13 May 2025
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The department conducts an annual review of each state, and a more intensive one that’s supposed to be completed roughly every five years.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The frightened Maltese was swimming in circles, but Desalvo and his colleagues were able to pull her to safety.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
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The first few attempts to free the dog failed, then the rescuers cleverly used a tarp to hoist the frightened animal to safety.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearful. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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