1
as in anxiety
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
the sight of the headless horseman filled the schoolmaster with fear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worry
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
fear for her family's safety drove her to seek help from neighbors she hardly knew
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety
her friends feared that she was dating a guy who was all wrong for her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of fear
Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
In response, Connecticut Children’s and Yale New Haven Health pre-emptively shut down their gender-affirming care programs out of fear of subpoenas, federal funding cuts, or even criminal liability.
—Matthew Blinstrubas, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
So long as the data turns out better than investors fear.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fear
Noun
That was a clear sign of the fear that continued to be in San Diego after the ICE raid two weeks ago.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
In response, Connecticut Children’s and Yale New Haven Health pre-emptively shut down their gender-affirming care programs out of fear of subpoenas, federal funding cuts, or even criminal liability.
—Matthew Blinstrubas, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Cities do that, advocates say, because officials fear encampments will be perceived as an eyesore for visitors.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
So long as the data turns out better than investors fear.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear
Noun
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Our cousins just over the border in Wisconsin kept up a steady stream of taunts, trash-talking the Bears and causing us all a lot of anxiety as the minutes ticked by.—
Erendira Rendon,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
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Experts say exercise during pregnancy and after birth can help lower anxiety, improve sleep, and boost your mood.—
Hannah Silverman,
Parents,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The social media giant's guidance offset worries about its sky-high spending on artificial intelligence.—
,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
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Keogh said that access is a security worry because people in the indictment include citizens of communist China, an American rival.—
Steve Patterson,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Melissa Michelson, a political science professor at Menlo College, said the donor list signals concern among wealthy Californians about potential tax increases.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
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These activities, conducted outside normal flight paths near El Paso International Airport, caused FAA concern about possible interference with civilian flights.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The filmmaker leans pop-comic rather than petrifying in his final draft, opting for earnestness that smothers atmospheric dread.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
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In its worst forms, paranoia is a misapplication of the tools of attention, devotion, and care, scuttled by dread, the oppression of the unknown, and a lack of support.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The score hums and pulses with modern unease, making the film feel like a fever dream that happens to borrow Brontë’s names.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Nancy Guthrie case highlights mounting unease over how much control Nest‑ and Ring‑style devices give both tech companies and law enforcement over intimate footage from people’s homes.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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January’s nonfarm payrolls report and consumer price index, set to hit screens days after their original release dates , could re-instill confidence in the market following a recent bout of panic selling.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
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That level of panic is premature, experts say.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The critical bulletin issued to pilots and airlines not to fly below 18,000 feet was initially set for 10 days, a duration for a full grounding not used since the 9/11 terror attacks.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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The film delves into the fragility of the human mind, the dangers of AI warfare, and the indomitable spirit required to confront terror in an increasingly digital world.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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