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
Cars began circulating in Guadalajara before sunrise Monday with the start of the work week, a notable change from Sunday when Jalisco's state capital and Mexico's second-largest city was almost completely shut down as fearful residents stayed home.
—
ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Cars began circulating in Guadalajara before sunrise Monday with the start of the workweek, a notable change from Sunday, when Jalisco’s state capital and Mexico’s second-largest city was almost completely shut down as fearful residents stayed home.
—Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Both Salesforce and Workday have been punished this year, tumbling more than 33% and 40%, respectively, as investors fearful of AI disruption took a sharp pivot out of the software sector.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
The officers who attended were fearful they would be killed on the long night walk.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fearful
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ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Cars began circulating in Guadalajara before sunrise Monday with the start of the workweek, a notable change from Sunday, when Jalisco’s state capital and Mexico’s second-largest city was almost completely shut down as fearful residents stayed home.
—Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Both Salesforce and Workday have been punished this year, tumbling more than 33% and 40%, respectively, as investors fearful of AI disruption took a sharp pivot out of the software sector.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
The officers who attended were fearful they would be killed on the long night walk.
—Literary Hub, 23 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 26 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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