as in worrying
to experience concern or anxiety
her friends feared that she was dating a guy who was all wrong for her
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Recent Examples of fearing
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, anti-war activists, online critics and military draft resisters fled the country by the tens of thousands, fearing imprisonment or worse.
—
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
His father, fearing Henry had stopped taking his mental health medication, traveled to Dublin to help his son.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
All right, and just very quickly, the context here is Republicans are fearing a really bad midterm.
—ABC News, 8 Feb. 2026
Hillary, a physician hiding the depth of her estranged husband’s addiction issues, arrives from Chicago fearing her young son’s inevitable meltdowns.
—New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that anyone who wants to leave will eventually be permitted to do so, but Egypt has repeatedly said the Rafah crossing must open in both directions, fearing Israel could use it to push Palestinians out of Gaza.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
But neighbors advised her not to come out, fearing she would also be detained.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
President Truman—fearing that huge interest costs would swamp the budget—heavily pressured the Fed to hold down rates.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Florida school districts have seen dwindling enrollment since 2024, owing, in part, to immigrants leaving the state or fearing being detained by ICE.
—Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
His father, fearing Henry had stopped taking his mental health medication, traveled to Dublin to help his son.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
All right, and just very quickly, the context here is Republicans are fearing a really bad midterm.
—ABC News, 8 Feb. 2026
Hillary, a physician hiding the depth of her estranged husband’s addiction issues, arrives from Chicago fearing her young son’s inevitable meltdowns.
—New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that anyone who wants to leave will eventually be permitted to do so, but Egypt has repeatedly said the Rafah crossing must open in both directions, fearing Israel could use it to push Palestinians out of Gaza.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
But neighbors advised her not to come out, fearing she would also be detained.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
President Truman—fearing that huge interest costs would swamp the budget—heavily pressured the Fed to hold down rates.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Florida school districts have seen dwindling enrollment since 2024, owing, in part, to immigrants leaving the state or fearing being detained by ICE.
—Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearing
worrying
Verb
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But then over here, rumblings about the future of the company and people worrying what does this mean not only for themselves but for the prospects of Rolling Stone, which is a life mantra and mission that people came from all over the world to be a part of.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Boaters who call North Point Marina their homeport during the boating season can stop worrying over where to moor their vessels.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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