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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of fear
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
To vote in free elections without a gun to their head, to walk into a balloting place without fear of reprisal decide the direction of this country.
—
Joe Kinsey Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
David Hickey,
NBC news,
2 July 2026
Yesterday, Garcia testified that King feared Goodloe’s husband Dan Milam would plant child pornography on his computer.
—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for fear
Noun
Rebeles, who lives in Laredo, Texas, said she’s seen the terror sown by immigration enforcement in her hometown and, as a former educator, saw her students and their parents struggle with the fear of separation and deportation.
—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
To vote in free elections without a gun to their head, to walk into a balloting place without fear of reprisal decide the direction of this country.
—
Joe Kinsey Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
Verb
And some fear the president will use the SAVE America Act against them should the bill not pass, and the party loses control of the Senate in November.
—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
2 July 2026
Yesterday, Garcia testified that King feared Goodloe’s husband Dan Milam would plant child pornography on his computer.
—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for fear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear
Noun
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And at times members of the congregation thank her and others for casting aside those anxieties and keeping this place going.
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That uncertainty allows anxiety to grow because your brain naturally wants answers that do not yet exist.
Noun
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Those worries make sense, and understanding how bird flu spreads and what to watch for is the best way to protect your flock and yourself.
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Elevation invites visitors to carve wishes, worries, and hopes into the church pews.
Noun
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Great productions of Sondheim musicals, and this is one of those, always fill you with a certain existential dread.
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Dong recalled that dread ran deep because his tiny boat might capsize if the winds and waves picked up.
Noun
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To use available resources to block line of sight from the American Glass Research International complex to Trump, despite identifying this line of sight as a concern.
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Over in the geopolitical front, fresh escalating tensions draw concern as Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, prompting Poland to scramble jets while Finland restricted airspace.
Noun
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The resulting anxiety and panic are an unfortunate side effect of a banner year for fireworks shows.
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Sandy has taken flight, but not without sending eagle-eyed viewers of the Friends of Big Bear Valley eagle nest cam into a Sunday-morning panic.
Noun
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Over several years, Williams and the team explored how avatars modeled on West African masks were able to avoid the uncanny valley, that unease people feel when something almost-human turns out not to be.
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Frowning, fidgeting, and exchanging furtive glances—the crowd’s unease was palpable.
Noun
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Thibault in a news conference Tuesday said that authorities believe the incident was not related to terror.
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Meanwhile, frightful aftershocks continued to rock the area, sowing terror in a population already reaching the limits of endurance.
Cite this Entry
“Fear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fear. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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