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
Suddenly, oil blew out of its well in a massive eruption that towered 200 feet in the air and sprayed the fearful villagers of La Rosa.
—
David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
Some are fearful of innovation.
—Jeff Mayhugh, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Long lines formed at supermarkets and pharmacies as shoppers, fearful of uncertainty, stocked up on essentials.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
The joy and hope among the diaspora contrast sharply with the situation inside Venezuela, where many citizens remain fearful of openly celebrating.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fearful
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David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
Some are fearful of innovation.
—Jeff Mayhugh, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Long lines formed at supermarkets and pharmacies as shoppers, fearful of uncertainty, stocked up on essentials.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
The joy and hope among the diaspora contrast sharply with the situation inside Venezuela, where many citizens remain fearful of openly celebrating.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 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 7 Jan. 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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