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Fear synonyms

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dread
A source of fear, awe, or reverence:
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1
  1. A source of fear, awe, or reverence:
  2. Fear mixed with awe or reverence
  3. Profound fear; terror:
fright
(Informal) Something extremely unsightly, alarming, or strange:
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1
  1. (Informal) Something extremely unsightly, alarming, or strange:
  2. Sudden intense fear, as of something immediately threatening.
  3. Sudden fear or terror; alarm
scare
A general state of alarm; a panic:
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  1. A general state of alarm; a panic:
  2. A condition or sensation of sudden fear:
  3. A sudden fear or panic; attack of fright, often unreasonable
terror
Violence committed or threatened by a group, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political goals.
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  1. Violence committed or threatened by a group, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political goals.
  2. One that instills intense fear:
  3. Intense, overpowering fear.
awe
(Archaic) The power of inspiring intense fear or fearful reverence
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  1. (Archaic) The power of inspiring intense fear or fearful reverence
  2. A feeling of respect or reverence mixed with dread and wonder, often inspired by something majestic or powerful:
  3. (Obs.) Terror; dread
abhorrence
Something abhorred; something repugnant
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-1
  1. Something abhorred; something repugnant
  2. A feeling of repugnance or loathing.
  3. One that is disgusting, loathsome, or repellent.
revulsion
(Medicine) The reduction of superficial inflammation in an affected body part, as by topical agents, in order to decrease inflammation in adjacent structures.
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  1. (Medicine) The reduction of superficial inflammation in an affected body part, as by topical agents, in order to decrease inflammation in adjacent structures.
  2. (Archaic) A withdrawing or turning away from something.
  3. A sudden strong change or reaction in feeling, especially a feeling of violent disgust or loathing.
aversion
An intense or definite dislike; antipathy; repugnance
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  1. An intense or definite dislike; antipathy; repugnance
  2. The cause or object of such a feeling:
  3. The act or fact of averting:
tremor
A state or feeling of nervousness, worry, or excitement:
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  1. A state or feeling of nervousness, worry, or excitement:
  2. A shake, quiver, or vibration.
  3. A shaking or vibrating movement, as of the earth.
funk
A strong, usually unpleasant smell; reek.
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0
  1. A strong, usually unpleasant smell; reek.
  2. A form of rhythm and blues originating in the 1970s in which highly syncopated polyrhythms are combined with a prominent, jerky bass line, minimal harmonic structure, and declamatory vocalizing
  3. A type of popular music combining elements of jazz, blues, and soul and characterized by syncopated rhythm and a heavy, repetitive bassline.
cold feet
Fearfulness or timidity preventing the completion of a course of action.
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1
  1. Fearfulness or timidity preventing the completion of a course of action.
cold sweat
Perspiration accompanied by a cold, clammy feeling
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  1. Perspiration accompanied by a cold, clammy feeling
  2. A reaction to nervousness, fear, pain, or shock, characterized by simultaneous perspiration and chill and cold moist skin.
chills
Plural form of chill
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  1. Plural form of chill
  2. (Medicine) A feeling of being cold, a symptom of many conditions.
anxiety
A cause of anxiety:
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  1. A cause of anxiety:
  2. (Psychiatry) An abnormal state like this, characterized by a feeling of being powerless and unable to cope with threatening events, typically imaginary, and by physical tension, as shown by sweating, trembling, etc.
  3. A state of apprehension and fear resulting from the anticipation of a threatening event or situation. &diamf3; In psychiatry, a patient has an anxiety disorder &diamf3; if normal psychological functioning is disrupted or if anxiety persists without an identifiable cause.
trepidation
A state of alarm or dread; apprehension.
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1
  1. A state of alarm or dread; apprehension.
  2. (Archaic) Tremulous or trembling movement; quaking; tremor
  3. Fearful uncertainty, anxiety, etc.; apprehension
dread
A source of fear, awe, or reverence:
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0
  1. A source of fear, awe, or reverence:
  2. Fear mixed with awe or reverence
  3. Profound fear; terror:
cowardice
Lack of courage.
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  1. Lack of courage.
  2. Ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain.
  3. Lack of courage; esp., shamefully excessive fear of danger, difficulty, or suffering
misgiving
A feeling of misgiving:
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  1. A feeling of misgiving:
  2. Doubt, distrust, or apprehension:
  3. A disturbed feeling of fear, doubt, apprehension, etc.
uneasiness
The state of being uneasy, nervous or restless.
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  1. The state of being uneasy, nervous or restless.
  2. An anxious state of mind; anxiety.
phobia
A persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the awareness and reassurance that it is not dangerous.
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  1. A persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the awareness and reassurance that it is not dangerous.
  2. A strong fear, dislike, or aversion.
  3. An irrational, excessive, and persistent fear of some particular thing or situation
foreboding
An evil omen; a portent.
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  1. An evil omen; a portent.
  2. A sense of impending evil or misfortune.
  3. A prediction, portent, or presentiment, esp. of something bad or harmful
jumpiness
The state of being jumpy
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  1. The state of being jumpy
horror
The strong feeling caused by something frightful or shocking; shuddering fear and disgust; terror and repugnance
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  1. The strong feeling caused by something frightful or shocking; shuddering fear and disgust; terror and repugnance
  2. A genre of fiction or other artistic work evoking suspense and horror, especially through the depiction of gruesome or supernatural elements.
  3. An intense, painful feeling of repugnance and fear.
panic
A widespread fear of the collapse of the financial system, resulting in unreasoned attempts to turn property into cash, withdraw money, etc.
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0
  1. A widespread fear of the collapse of the financial system, resulting in unreasoned attempts to turn property into cash, withdraw money, etc.
  2. A sudden, overpowering feeling of fear, often affecting many people at once.
  3. A sudden widespread alarm concerning finances, often resulting in a rush to sell property to raise cash.
alarm
A device that is used to warn of danger by means of a sound or signal:
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  1. A device that is used to warn of danger by means of a sound or signal:
  2. The sounding mechanism of an alarm clock:
  3. The bell, buzzer, etc. of an alarm clock
consternation
A state of great alarm, agitation, or dismay.
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  1. A state of great alarm, agitation, or dismay.
  2. A feeling of confusion, helplessness, shock, or dismay
dismay
A sudden or complete loss of courage in the face of trouble or danger.
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  1. A sudden or complete loss of courage in the face of trouble or danger.
  2. A feeling of discouragement or consternation, as at the prospect of trouble
disquietude
Worried unease; anxiety:
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  1. Worried unease; anxiety:
  2. A disturbed or uneasy condition; restlessness; anxiety
perturbation
(Countable, astronomy, physics) Variation in an orbit due to the influence of external bodies
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  1. (Countable, astronomy, physics) Variation in an orbit due to the influence of external bodies
  2. A small change in a physical system, such as a variation in a planet's orbit resulting from the gravitational influence of other celestial bodies.
  3. Variation in a designated orbit, as of a planet, that results from the influence of one or more external bodies. Gravitational attraction between planets can cause perturbations and cause a planet to deviate from its expected orbit. Perturbations in Neptune's orbit led to the discovery of the object—Pluto—that was causing the perturbation. Perturbations in the orbits of stars have led to the discovery of planetary systems outside of our Solar system.
worry
A troubled state of mind; anxiety; distress; care; uneasiness
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  1. A troubled state of mind; anxiety; distress; care; uneasiness
  2. The act of worrying or the condition of being worried; persistent mental uneasiness:
  3. Something that causes anxiety
falter
To become weak, ineffective, or unsteady, especially in performance:
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  1. To become weak, ineffective, or unsteady, especially in performance:
  2. To move uncertainly or unsteadily; totter; stumble
  3. To move unsteadily or haltingly; stumble:
bugbear
An imaginary hobgoblin or terror used to frighten children into good conduct
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  1. An imaginary hobgoblin or terror used to frighten children into good conduct
  2. A cause of fear, anxiety, or irritation:
  3. Anything causing seemingly needless or excessive fear or anxiety
fearfulness
The quality of being fearful
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  1. The quality of being fearful
despair
One despaired of or causing despair:
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  1. One despaired of or causing despair:
  2. A person or thing causing despair
  3. Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.
agitation
The stirring up of public interest in a matter of controversy, such as a political or social issue.
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  1. The stirring up of public interest in a matter of controversy, such as a political or social issue.
  2. Discussion meant to stir up people and produce changes
  3. Emotional disturbance or excitement
hesitation
The act or an instance of hesitating.
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  1. The act or an instance of hesitating.
  2. Uncertainty; indecision
  3. A hesitating or feeling hesitant
nervousness
The state or quality of being nervous.
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  1. The state or quality of being nervous.
concern
Worry; anxiety
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  1. Worry; anxiety
  2. Interest in or regard for a person or thing
  3. Regard for or interest in someone or something:
suspicion
A minute amount or slight indication; a trace:
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  1. A minute amount or slight indication; a trace:
  2. The state or feeling of having no confidence or certainty about something; distrust:
  3. The act or an instance of suspecting something on little or no evidence:
doubt
The condition of being unsettled or unresolved:
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  1. The condition of being unsettled or unresolved:
  2. Lack of trust or confidence
  3. (Obs.) Apprehension or fear
qualm
A sudden, brief feeling of sickness, faintness, or nausea
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  1. A sudden, brief feeling of sickness, faintness, or nausea
  2. An uneasy feeling about the propriety or rightness of a course of action:
  3. A sudden feeling of uneasiness or doubt; misgiving
presentiment
A feeling that something, esp. of an unfortunate or evil nature, is about to take place; foreboding
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  1. A feeling that something, esp. of an unfortunate or evil nature, is about to take place; foreboding
  2. A premonition; a feeling that something, often of undesirable nature, is going to happen.
timorousness
The property of being timorous.
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  1. The property of being timorous.
cower
(Obsolete) To cherish with care.
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  1. (Obsolete) To cherish with care.
  2. To shrink and tremble, as from someone's anger, threats, or blows; cringe
  3. To cringe in fear.
quaver
(Music) To make a trill or trills in singing or playing
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  1. (Music) To make a trill or trills in singing or playing
  2. (Music) To produce a trill on an instrument or with the voice.
  3. To speak in a quivering voice; utter a quivering sound.
flinch
To recoil, as from something unpleasant or difficult; shrink.
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  1. To recoil, as from something unpleasant or difficult; shrink.
  2. To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.
  3. To start or wince involuntarily, as from surprise or pain.
shrink
To become reduced in amount or value; dwindle:
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  1. To become reduced in amount or value; dwindle:
  2. To show reluctance; hesitate:
  3. To hold back, as from taking action; hesitate or recoil
quail
To draw back in fear; lose heart or courage; cower
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  1. To draw back in fear; lose heart or courage; cower
quake
To shiver or shudder, as with cold or from strong emotion.
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  1. To shiver or shudder, as with cold or from strong emotion.
  2. To tremble or shake, as the ground does in an earthquake
  3. To shake or tremble, as from instability or shock.
cringe
To act in a timid, servile manner; fawn
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  1. To act in a timid, servile manner; fawn
  2. To behave in a servile way; fawn.
  3. To draw back, bend, crouch, etc., as when afraid; shrink from something dangerous or painful
shudder
To vibrate; quiver:
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  1. To vibrate; quiver:
  2. To shake or tremble suddenly and violently, as in horror or extreme disgust
  3. To shiver convulsively, as from fear or revulsion.
freeze
To stop consumer production or use of (a critical material), as in wartime
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  1. To stop consumer production or use of (a critical material), as in wartime
  2. To chill with an icy or formal manner:
  3. To be or feel uncomfortably cold:
blanch
To make white; take color out of
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  1. To make white; take color out of
  2. To scald (almonds, for example) in order to loosen the skin.
  3. To take the color from; bleach.
start
To found; establish:
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  1. To found; establish:
  2. (Now Chiefly Dial.) To cause to start, or move involuntarily; startle
  3. To set into motion, operation, or activity:
tremble
To quiver, quake, totter, vibrate, etc.
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0
  1. To quiver, quake, totter, vibrate, etc.
  2. To feel great fear or anxiety
  3. To feel fear or anxiety:
shy
To avoid engaging in, treating, or discussing something:
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  1. To avoid engaging in, treating, or discussing something:
  2. To move suddenly or draw back, as if startled or afraid:
  3. To move suddenly as when startled; jump; start; recoil
get-cold-feet
(Idiomatic, intransitive) to become nervous or anxious and reconsider a decision about an upcoming event.
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  1. (Idiomatic, intransitive) to become nervous or anxious and reconsider a decision about an upcoming event.
wimp-out
To behave like a wimp.
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  1. To behave like a wimp.
apprehend
To understand something.
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  1. To understand something.
  2. To grasp mentally; understand:
  3. (Archaic) To anticipate with worry or dread.
dread
(Archaic) To hold in awe or reverence.
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0
  1. (Archaic) To hold in awe or reverence.
  2. To be in terror of; fear intensely:
  3. To be very afraid.
fret
To press the strings (of a banjo, etc.) against the frets
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0
  1. To press the strings (of a banjo, etc.) against the frets
  2. To be vexed or troubled; worry.
  3. To ornament with a fret
affright
A cause of terror.
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0
  1. A cause of terror.
  2. (Archaic) Great fright or terror, or a cause of terror
alarm
A device that is used to warn of danger by means of a sound or signal:
0
0
  1. A device that is used to warn of danger by means of a sound or signal:
  2. The sounding mechanism of an alarm clock:
  3. The bell, buzzer, etc. of an alarm clock
apprehension
The ability to apprehend or understand; understanding.
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  1. The ability to apprehend or understand; understanding.
  2. Fearful or uneasy anticipation of the future; dread.
  3. An anxious feeling of foreboding; dread
dread
A source of fear, awe, or reverence:
0
0
  1. A source of fear, awe, or reverence:
  2. Fear mixed with awe or reverence
  3. Profound fear; terror:
fearfulness
The quality of being fearful
0
0
  1. The quality of being fearful
fright
(Informal) Something extremely unsightly, alarming, or strange:
0
0
  1. (Informal) Something extremely unsightly, alarming, or strange:
  2. Sudden intense fear, as of something immediately threatening.
  3. Sudden fear or terror; alarm
funk
A strong, usually unpleasant smell; reek.
0
0
  1. A strong, usually unpleasant smell; reek.
  2. A form of rhythm and blues originating in the 1970s in which highly syncopated polyrhythms are combined with a prominent, jerky bass line, minimal harmonic structure, and declamatory vocalizing
  3. A type of popular music combining elements of jazz, blues, and soul and characterized by syncopated rhythm and a heavy, repetitive bassline.
horror
A genre of fiction, films, comic books, etc. characterized by the depiction of frightening events and, variously, ghosts, vampires, monsters, etc.
0
0
  1. A genre of fiction, films, comic books, etc. characterized by the depiction of frightening events and, variously, ghosts, vampires, monsters, etc.
  2. An intense, painful feeling of repugnance and fear.
  3. A genre of fiction or other artistic work evoking suspense and horror, especially through the depiction of gruesome or supernatural elements.
panic
A widespread fear of the collapse of the financial system, resulting in unreasoned attempts to turn property into cash, withdraw money, etc.
0
1
  1. A widespread fear of the collapse of the financial system, resulting in unreasoned attempts to turn property into cash, withdraw money, etc.
  2. A sudden, overpowering feeling of fear, often affecting many people at once.
  3. A sudden widespread alarm concerning finances, often resulting in a rush to sell property to raise cash.
terror
Violence committed or threatened by a group, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political goals.
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0
  1. Violence committed or threatened by a group, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political goals.
  2. One that instills intense fear:
  3. Intense, overpowering fear.
trepidation
(Archaic) Tremulous or trembling movement; quaking; tremor
0
0
  1. (Archaic) Tremulous or trembling movement; quaking; tremor
  2. A state of alarm or dread; apprehension.
  3. Fearful uncertainty, anxiety, etc.; apprehension
cold feet
Fearfulness or timidity preventing the completion of a course of action.
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0
  1. Fearfulness or timidity preventing the completion of a course of action.
dread
To face (something disagreeable) with reluctance
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  1. To face (something disagreeable) with reluctance
  2. To anticipate with anxiety, alarm, or apprehension; fear intensely
  3. To be in terror of; fear intensely:

Synonym Study

  • Panic refers to a frantic, unreasoning fear, often one that spreads quickly and leads to irrational, aimless action the cry of ``fire!"" created a panic
  • Terror applies to an overwhelming, often paralyzing fear the terror of soldiers in combat
  • Alarm implies the fright felt at the sudden realization of danger he felt alarm at the sight of the pistol
  • Fright applies to a sudden, shocking, usually momentary fear the mouse gave her a fright
  • Dread refers to the fear or depression felt in anticipating something dangerous or disagreeable to live in dread of poverty
  • Fear is the general term for the anxiety and agitation felt at the presence of danger
Find another word for fear. In this page you can discover 114 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for fear, like: dread, fright, scare, mortal terror, terror, awe, abhorrence, revulsion, aversion, tremor and bodily fear.

Sentence Examples

  • For a long time he wandered in fear from place to place.

  • The sea shore is too far to the east so I fear she'll be remanded to a roadside bier of Kudzu and discarded fast food wrappers.

  • We fear it, frankly, because we do not understand it.

  • Maybe her fear of her father was wrong.

  • Fear clutched at her heart with cold fingers.

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