Synonyms for

Fear

Verb / fɪr / Another word for fear — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Fear is a feeling of being scared or afraid of something.

Synonyms & similar words

reverence fright fearfulness revere dread fearlessness veneration awe care venerate concern anxiety dread terror horror panic unease apprehension phobia fright consternation alarm concern worry trepidation disquiet tension uneasiness nervousness cowardice timidity

Synonyms by register

Formal

apprehension dread trepidation anxiety

Informal

scared fright jitters nerves

Literary

ague bogle phobia

Antonyms

bravery courage boldness confidence intrepidity valour

Common collocations

  • great fear
  • intense fear
  • overcome by fear
  • fear of heights
  • fear of the dark
  • feeling of fear
  • sense of fear
  • crippling fear

Word family

noun fear
verb fear
adjective fearful
adverb fearfully

Usage note

Fear is a common emotion. 'Fear of' is a frequent construction. Be mindful of the intensity implied by different synonyms.

Example sentences

  1. I feel fear when I'm walking alone at night.
  2. She has a fear of heights.
  3. The thought of failing the test fills me with fear.
  4. He tried to hide his fear from his friends.
  5. The horror movie gave me a feeling of fear.

Quotes

  • The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. - Mark Twain
  • Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. - Yoda

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