as in terrifying
causing fear
every ship on the Spanish Main was terrified of running into the dread pirate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in worry
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
the dread felt by people awaiting bad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
we were filled with dread when we saw the rapids we would be rafting down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in terror
something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason
speaking in public is a perennial dread for many people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dread
Erik Kain, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Presence is something else, a film that builds dread but also has some poetry in its heart.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
M. Gessen, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2025
For many, as the rain kept falling, there was a sense of dread that the worst was still to come.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2025
Gisela Salomon, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
If that happens, many of them will probably pass the time by watching movies or playing video games — and dreading a possible Sunday doubleheader before flying overnight to Detroit.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dread
Adjective
The thrumming bass undercurrent, rising like some dread unknown beneath it all.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Presence is something else, a film that builds dread but also has some poetry in its heart.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
People live in growing isolation and with the feeling of low-level dread, and these are the defining conditions of living in a secret-police state.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2025
For many, as the rain kept falling, there was a sense of dread that the worst was still to come.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
In the largest Venezuelan community in the United States, people dread what could face them if lawsuits that aim to stop the government fail.
—Gisela Salomon, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
If that happens, many of them will probably pass the time by watching movies or playing video games — and dreading a possible Sunday doubleheader before flying overnight to Detroit.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dread
Adjective
-
The teaser trailer showcases the epic highs and lows of professional football, with a focus on the lows, as all of this looks terrifying.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
But despite the terrifying name, giant viruses aren’t necessarily any more dangerous than a standard-sized species.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Not Enough People Are Watching ‘NYT Mini’ Clues And Answers For Saturday, April 26 New Google Leak Reveals Subscription Changes For Gemini AI There is no shortage of worries for European auto manufacturers.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
These worries lead people to make a series of decisions to delay having children, with hopes of having them in the future.—
Lisa Hagen,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Hayes said he’s had to take a leave of absence from his job over the fear of what might happen to his family.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
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Orr’s study also found that even as silence about climate change can spiral into deeper fears of speaking out, speaking about the issue can drive a spiral toward further discussion and action — and that individual conversations can play a surprisingly large role.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The massive spike in antisemitic incidents that followed the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks in 2023 continued last year, according to data compiled by the Anti-Defamation League.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack at an El Paso Walmart in 2019 will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history and the worst domestic terror attack on Hispanics that the country has ever seen.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
After the frightening threat, the man suddenly ran off in an unknown direction.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Serena Joy Waterford is among the most frightening, dead-hearted women ever written for the small screen.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trump's remarks came as he's started to soften his tone with China regarding tariffs, which have rattled the global markets and stoked anxieties about the economy.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Hiking in nature has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
While there is indeed connective tissue between the many forms of hate that plague our society, each has its own contours, and there are moments that demand addressing each one specifically – this is such a moment for antisemitism.—
Sara Colb,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
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When plague struck again, only 18 ferrets remained.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The frontman proved expressive and animated despite serious hearing issues that sidelined him for a few scary years, and a voice that, understandably, doesn’t always have the sustain and power of earlier days.—
Katherine Turman,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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Stocks have outperformed cash, bonds, and inflation by a wide margin over the long term despite many setbacks, many much scarier than tariffs or recession.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dread. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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