1
: causing or likely to cause fear, fright, or alarm especially because of dangerous quality
a fearful storm
2
a
: full of fear
fearful for their safety
b
: indicating or arising from fear
a fearful glance
c
: inclined to fear : timorous
3
: very great or bad
—used as an intensive
a fearful waste
fearful slum conditions
Examples of fearful in a Sentence
He plays the role of a timid and fearful clerk.
They won the war but at a fearful cost.
Recent Examples on the Web
Public opinion surveys conducted for the report show much of the world is already fearful that is happening.
—
Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Khanna said his office had been flooded with calls and emails as the mixed messaging left many local residents fearful.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Glaucon’s characterization anticipates the Hobbesian view of the world—pessimistic and fearful of what unsocialized humans in the state of nature can do to each other.
—Paul Rosenzweig, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
But those who supported the proposal saw it as an opportunity to plan ahead for that possibility, signal the county's values and show solidarity with area residents who are fearful and asking for preparatory action.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fearful
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Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Khanna said his office had been flooded with calls and emails as the mixed messaging left many local residents fearful.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Glaucon’s characterization anticipates the Hobbesian view of the world—pessimistic and fearful of what unsocialized humans in the state of nature can do to each other.
—Paul Rosenzweig, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
But those who supported the proposal saw it as an opportunity to plan ahead for that possibility, signal the county's values and show solidarity with area residents who are fearful and asking for preparatory action.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fearful
Cite this Entry
“Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fearful. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fearful
adjective
fear·ful
ˈfi(ə)r-fəl 
1
: causing fear
the fearful roar of a lion
2
: filled with fear
fearful of danger
3
: showing or caused by fear
a fearful glance
4
: extremely bad, large, or intense
fearful cold
fearfulness
noun
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