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
The expressions appear fearful when viewed from below.
—
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2025
Many immigrants utilizing PrEP, whether here legally or undocumented, have become fearful of going to clinic appointments for fear of deportation.
—Dr. Gary Spinner, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Einbinder appeared extremely fearful of addressing anything about being Jewish at this moment.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025
Ratliff is a wealthy Southern business mogul confronted by past shady business dealings and fearful that his secrets will come to light and endanger his family, played by Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sam Nivola, and Sarah Catherine Hook.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2025
Many immigrants utilizing PrEP, whether here legally or undocumented, have become fearful of going to clinic appointments for fear of deportation.
—Dr. Gary Spinner, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Einbinder appeared extremely fearful of addressing anything about being Jewish at this moment.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025
Ratliff is a wealthy Southern business mogul confronted by past shady business dealings and fearful that his secrets will come to light and endanger his family, played by Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sam Nivola, and Sarah Catherine Hook.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearful
Adjective
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Tran swears that having a physical manifestation to interact with is why the terrifying sequences work.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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But actually just look at it and go, look, this is really, really scary and terrifying.—
Emily Maddick,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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To say that does not trivialize the Holocaust, as some timid folk insist.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2025
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Cheered on by timid bankers who wouldn't risk a lemon in their sparse baskets.—
Dan Primack,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Already, court challenges against the president’s latest moves are emerging, and intense mainstream media coverage has, of course, cast what he’s done in a highly negative light.—
The Editors,
National Review,
20 Mar. 2025
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An intense look at the world of competitive bodybuilding and remake of a Argentine thriller top our roundup of this week’s new films.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Inside the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, vital support staff are gone, international partnerships have been strained, and workers are afraid to discuss threats to democracy that they’re now prohibited from countering.—
Eric Geller,
WIRED,
13 Mar. 2025
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But remember to keep your calendar flexible and don’t be afraid to pivot.—
Sean McNally,
Outdoor Life,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Its mechanical legs resemble a Star Wars stormtrooper while its humanoid design, featuring extended coil arms and over-resilient survival adaptability, is both awesome and a little frightening — mankind’s extinction made cute.—
Armond White,
National Review,
26 Feb. 2025
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Funny how quickly things change in the NHL. Or frightening.—
Michael Russo,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a lot to love with Tuten and his ceiling is super high, but the floor is extremely scary because of his fumbles.—
Steve Bradshaw,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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The incident was so scary that cameras didn't show Goldsmith on the ice being tended by trainers.—
Ryan Canfield,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Our only leverage were the ongoing national-level intensive negotiations over the NAFTA environmental side-accords.—
Serge Dedina,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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Finding and synthesizing that data would be both labor intensive and expensive for the district to do itself.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacramento Bee,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Inside, the staff scrambles for cover and a frightened woman and child are seen hiding behind a buffet counter.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
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Staying apolitical in his work, Lynch expressed the personal idiosyncrasy that reflected his upbringing in Midwest America (born in Missoula, Mont., and of Finnish-Danish heritage) as well as his private, frightened knowledge of national terror.—
Armond White,
National Review,
17 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearful. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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