as in terrifying
causing fear
every ship on the Spanish Main was terrified of running into the dread pirate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in worry
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
the dread felt by people awaiting bad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
we were filled with dread when we saw the rapids we would be rafting down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in terror
something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason
speaking in public is a perennial dread for many people
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dread
Brian Sampson, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, wrote Norman Mailer, in Foreman’s dressing room, one of his cornermen, former light heavyweight Archie Moore, also felt dread.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2025
Sometimes the release comes with a feeling of dread.
—Grace Hussar, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Companies must walk a delicate line between protecting their inventory and creating stores that customers don’t dread visiting.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dread
Adjective
This is the kind of decision franchises dread—where emotion, logic, and reality collide in uncomfortable ways.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, wrote Norman Mailer, in Foreman’s dressing room, one of his cornermen, former light heavyweight Archie Moore, also felt dread.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
And having already proven her scary-movie bona fides with last year’s Heretic, Thatcher does a lot of the heavy lifting here, and brings a real sense of brokenhearted bewilderment, existential dread, and eventually, an avenging-angel sense of righteousness to Iris.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2025
Sometimes the release comes with a feeling of dread.
—Grace Hussar, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
Those dreading saying goodbye can always inquire about condo prices at the Four Seasons Private Residences, just next door.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Companies must walk a delicate line between protecting their inventory and creating stores that customers don’t dread visiting.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dread
Adjective
-
His first book, Dark Days vividly and unflinchingly chronicled his terrifying experience being jailed on charges of manslaughter (he was acquitted on all counts).—
Bill Kopp,
SPIN,
20 Feb. 2025
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For those who have watched DOGE storm into their workplace, what is perhaps most terrifying is its attempts to scale.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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What the public worries about is clarity from their politicians.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Another major worry for those who’ve been able to live in their homes is all the trash.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But fear of ice-cold takes never stopped us before.—
Jeff Gluck,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Trump’s threats have sent an icy jolt of fear through the land, and Canadian opinions have suddenly shifted on pipelines and other questions.—
Stephen Maher,
TIME,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The revelation is the latest tragic twist for the Bibas family, who have become among the most recognizable victims of the October 7 terror attacks, with confirmation of their deaths triggering an outpouring of grief in Israel.—
Mohammed Tawfeeq,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
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About 1,200 people were killed and 251 were captured in the Oct. 7 terror attack, according to Israeli officials.—
Astha Rajvanshi,
NBC News,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But former Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks has pitched just five innings since 2022 due to Tommy John surgery and, even more frightening, a battle with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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Bates is frightening in her stillness, which makes Annie’s sudden bursts of violence all the more horrifying.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
While some financial hiccups are normal in early adulthood, ongoing instability could signal deeper struggles with budgeting, impulsivity or even financial anxiety.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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Merz vowed to bring stronger leadership in Europe at a moment when Trump had sowed anxiety on the continent by scrambling traditional alliances and embracing Russia.—
Emmett Lindner,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As the empire tries to inflict its imperialism on the island, it is met by a disease called the Dream Scourge, a plague of the soul that drives people mad.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2025
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Never mind the stalking, cucking her husband, and bringing plague and endless death upon her.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But like the best scary movies, Horror has a strong ending.—
Brendan Hay,
SPIN,
19 Feb. 2025
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Soto, Judge trade barbs Once, long ago — ahem, last season — Juan Soto and Aaron Judge formed the scariest hitting combination in MLB.—
Chris Branch,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dread. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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