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
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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
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Recent Examples of fear
Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026
What happened next was an unexpected show of support from her husband, Johnny Davidson, that not only helped calm their daughter’s fears but also reminded everyone around her how powerful small acts of encouragement can be.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 May 2026
Workers may fear inflation, layoffs or shrinking purchasing power even beyond transportation costs.
—Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fear
Noun
My newfound fear of heights quickly disappeared when Tommy napped.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026
What happened next was an unexpected show of support from her husband, Johnny Davidson, that not only helped calm their daughter’s fears but also reminded everyone around her how powerful small acts of encouragement can be.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Verb
That’s an act of service in an animation landscape where most American studios fear crafting anything remotely unconventional or unequivocally adult-oriented.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 May 2026
Workers may fear inflation, layoffs or shrinking purchasing power even beyond transportation costs.
—Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear
Noun
-
Renter Mandy Feng, who prefers to use a pseudonym for fear of being seen criticizing the authorities, said the stimulus the government is offering has failed to offset people’s anxiety over an uncertain economic outlook.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
As anyone who deals with anxiety knows, one of its chief triggers is uncertainty.—
Tom Dotan,
Vanity Fair,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Another reasonable worry is energy.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
-
With one less worry – a safe home – Denise can now imagine a future for her family.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility Rooms for those with mobility needs are in place, and the fitness club, pool, spa, and public bathrooms also address accessibility concerns.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
Since then, a growing number of cities have opted to further regulate e-bikes, citing a growing number of incidents and safety concerns.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Every May, millions of high school students sit for Advanced Placement exams with a mixture of dread and excitement, with many believing that their scores could measurably shift the needle in their college prospects.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Up until shooting began, Seydoux was in a state of dread.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Though the vote still failed largely along party lines, Murkowski's flip was a warning sign for the White House about the unease of some Republicans on Capitol Hill as the conflict drags on.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
Many Asian countries now count China as their largest trading partner, a reality that creates both opportunity and unease.—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Its candor incited a small-scale moral panic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
The events triggered a sense of panic among Democrats.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Maika Monroe may have starred in multiple defining horror films of the last 10-plus years, from her breakout in It Follows to the recent box-office smash Longlegs, but no amount of scream-queen credits could prepare her for the gory terror of Victorian Psycho.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
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Trump later slapped the state-sponsor of terror designation back on at the start of his second term.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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