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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of fearful
Some patients are fearful of using opioids after surgery due to concerns about dependence and potential side effects, even when appropriately prescribed by a doctor to manage pain.
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Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024
By John Cornyn, Susan Collins, and Thom Tillis United States Senators
1
No parent wants to send their child to school fearful for their safety, and no student ought to have to go to school and be afraid.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
But the best argument against the End of Life bill is the fearful example of other nations that have tried the same, namely Belgium and Canada.
—The Editors, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024
Harbaugh’s not a fearful coach under any circumstances, but his little brother seems to draw out the gunslinger within.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fearful 
Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024
By John Cornyn, Susan Collins, and Thom Tillis United States Senators
1
No parent wants to send their child to school fearful for their safety, and no student ought to have to go to school and be afraid.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
But the best argument against the End of Life bill is the fearful example of other nations that have tried the same, namely Belgium and Canada.
—The Editors, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024
Harbaugh’s not a fearful coach under any circumstances, but his little brother seems to draw out the gunslinger within.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearful
Adjective
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Three years later, Dex's death deals a major blow to several key characters on the long-running soap, potentially introduces a terrifying new killer, and leaves behind plenty of questions as to how the series will proceed without him.Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024
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In the early hours of New Year's Day 2021 in Canton, Georgia, Morgan Metzer was awakened to a terrifying sight.Michael Loftus, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The prologue might end with a paroxysm of violence, but first there are a few timid whimpers of nascent pleasure; Bill Skarsgård’s base and primal Count Orlok is a nightmare who arrives on the wings of a nocturnal emission.David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024
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Unexpectedly, the timid Noa takes his brother’s side, wrapping a scarf around his uncle’s neck.Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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The warm front is a sharp contrast to the close of last week when an arctic surge swept across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic with snow squalls, whiteouts and intense bursts of wind that left 20 million Americans under winter weather warnings or advisories.Susan Miller, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
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Becoming a professor requires years and years of intense study, often carried out in isolation and poverty.Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Hit lists with images of bullets are circulating online with warnings that industry leaders should be afraid.Devna Bose and John Seewer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
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Expect lowball offers to come in here and there—and don't be deterred by them or afraid to turn them down.Michael Gargiulo, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That Daniel Penny acted to defend others from a frightening figure on the train was of no legal relevance, from the prosecution’s point of view, given that Neely did not have a weapon or threaten a specific passenger directly.Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
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However, Humbert decided to go it alone and ended up being the victim of quite a frightening shark attack.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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History says such a two-year performance in itself is neither a scary portent nor a ticket to further riches.Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 Dec. 2024
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With scary precision, the playwright captures the delusion that roots itself in families who use faith to control.Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Read More: How Leaked Police Interviews with Benjamin Netanyahu Became ‘The Bibi Files’ The only other Gaza City hospital with a NICU, Al-Sahaba hospital, operates under limited capacity, and is only able to offer basic level one care to infants— those without complex or intensive medical needs.Juwayriah Wright, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
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The company also provides intensive and critical care units; cardiovascular, digestive disease, neurosciences, musculoskeletal and obstetrics services; and outpatient services like physical therapy.Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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His fervor to determine who took the weapon reveals a shockingly monstrous side, turning his wife and children into frightened suspects and leading to a jarring tonal-shift ending that proves to be a cathartic, believable final destination for a film simmering with mistrust and anger.Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024
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At worst, this could lead to one or more Kent State-type incidents, with frightened Guardsmen in hostile, unfamiliar territory.Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near fearful
Cite this Entry
“Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearful. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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