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

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of fear

Noun

But fear of ice-cold takes never stopped us before. —

Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025 Multiple federal employees asked not to be named because of their fear of retribution from the White House. —

Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 14 Feb. 2025

Verb

His stories enthrall his fellow captives, and capture the attention of Hasan, the enigmatic and feared Bey of Algiers, igniting an affinity between captor and captive. —

Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025 However, some experts have been critical of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund since Trump first floated it during his presidential campaign, fearing the nation won't match the financial firepower of some of the biggest sovereign wealth funds in the world. —

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fear

Noun

Yes, but: Heightened anxiety amid the administration's immigration crackdown has triggered dips in school attendance nationwide.

— Alex Golden, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
The headline result here is pretty clear: people who are more physically active are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety now and in the future.

— Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 9 Feb. 2025