FEAR Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fear' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fear are alarm , dread , fright , panic , terror , and trepidation . While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage. // fear of the unknown

Q: When might 'alarm' be a better fit than 'fear'?

The words alarm and fear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger. // view the situation with alarm

Q: In what contexts can 'dread' take the place of 'fear'?

The synonyms dread and fear are sometimes interchangeable, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety. // faced the meeting with dread

Q: Where would 'fright' be a reasonable alternative to 'fear'?

While the synonyms fright and fear are close in meaning, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear. // fright at being awakened suddenly

Q: When can 'panic' be used instead of 'fear'?

The words panic and fear can be used in similar contexts, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity. // the news caused widespread panic

Q: When is 'terror' a more appropriate choice than 'fear'?

In some situations, the words terror and fear are roughly equivalent. However, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear. // immobilized with terror

Q: How are the words 'trepidation' and 'dread' related as synonyms of 'fear'?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation. // raised the subject with trepidation

fear 1 of 2

noun

ˈfir

Definition of fear next

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

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

fear

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fear distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fear are alarm, dread, fright, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When might alarm be a better fit than fear?

The words alarm and fear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

In what contexts can dread take the place of fear?

The synonyms dread and fear are sometimes interchangeable, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

Where would fright be a reasonable alternative to fear?

While the synonyms fright and fear are close in meaning, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When can panic be used instead of fear?

The words panic and fear can be used in similar contexts, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is terror a more appropriate choice than fear?

In some situations, the words terror and fear are roughly equivalent. However, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How are the words trepidation and dread related as synonyms of fear?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of fear

Noun

The big picture: What looked like slowing rates of price gains earlier this year has given way to fears that inflation might get stuck above the 2% level desired by policymakers. —

Courtenay Brown, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024 Amid Uncertainty These recommendations arise from fears of a repeat of the travel ban enacted during Trump’s first term in 2017. —

Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

Thompson’s killing has catapulted the masked shooter into cause célèbre status for some who consider the crime a symbolic repudiation of the country’s health care system, and authorities fear the shooting may inspire copycat attacks. —

Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024 State officials fear that if Aliso shuts down before Southern California has sufficiently reduced its reliance on gas, utility bills could skyrocket — especially for people who haven’t switched from gas heating and cooking to electric heat pumps and induction stoves. —

Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear

Noun

Cycling anxiety thoughts in the middle of the night.

Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Levels of stress, anxiety and depression are already alarmingly high among U.S. adults.

Sujay Saha, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024