FEARFUL Synonyms: 243 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fearful' different from other adjectives like it?

The words afraid and apprehensive are common synonyms of fearful . While all three words mean "disturbed by fear," fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament. // the child is fearful of loud noises

Q: When can 'afraid' be used instead of 'fearful'?

While the synonyms afraid and fearful are close in meaning, afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance. // afraid to speak the truth

Q: When is it sensible to use 'apprehensive' instead of 'fearful'?

The synonyms apprehensive and fearful are sometimes interchangeable, but apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger. // apprehensive of being found out

fearful

adjective

ˈfir-fəl

Definition of fearful next

as in terrifying

causing fear the fearful roar of a lion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in timid

easily frightened the stray cat that we took in is still fearful, even around us

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect the fearful wind and cold simply made being outside a miserable experience

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in afraid

filled with fear or dread fearful of venturing out onto the dark highway, the stranded motorist decided to wait in the car for help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fearful different from other adjectives like it?

The words afraid and apprehensive are common synonyms of fearful. While all three words mean "disturbed by fear," fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament.

the child is fearful of loud noises

When can afraid be used instead of fearful?

While the synonyms afraid and fearful are close in meaning, afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance.

afraid to speak the truth

When is it sensible to use apprehensive instead of fearful?

The synonyms apprehensive and fearful are sometimes interchangeable, but apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger.

apprehensive of being found out

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of fearful This month, a Cambodian former opposition politician was shot in Bangkok in broad daylight, making other refugees and dissidents who have fled to Thailand fearful for their safety. —

Nyrola Elimä, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025 Some weren’t planning to leave the area so long as it remained guarded by National Guard troops, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers, fearful they wouldn’t be let back in. —

Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025 While some content creators are fearful for their futures as a ban on TikTok looms overhead, others are trying to take the good with the bad, hopping on a new trend that pokes fun at the ban's root cause: national security. —

Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025 His lack of regard for democratic and institutional norms is overlooked by a large part of the population, and certain friendly and fearful media players. —

Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fearful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearful

Adjective

Cumberbatch, in a few moments, expresses the depth of this father’s agony, the terrifying chasm of it.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
Six episodes centre on a variety of different dinosaurs, from terrifying carnivores to docile herbivores.

— John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025