Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
dread

dread

 
 
pronunciation:
dred
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun, adjective
phrases:
dread to think
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun, adjective), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: dreads, dreading, dreaded
definition 1: to be very afraid of or deeply apprehensive about.
He dreads the possibility of war.They're so late, and I dread to think what might have happened to them.[verb + infinitive ]
synonyms:
fear
definition 2: to look forward to with anxiety or dislike.
She dreads visits from her mother-in-law.I dread having to make this speech next week.[verb + gerund ] Can't you stay? I dread your leaving me here all by myself.[verb + possessive adj + gerund ]
synonyms:
fear
similar words:
apprehend, forebode
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to have fear or apprehension.
The prisoners no longer hope; they only dread.
synonyms:
fear
antonyms:
yearn
similar words:
cower, cringe, quail, recoil, shiver, shudder, shy, tremble
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: great fear; a terrifying anticipation of something.
His dread of failure kept him from pursuing his dream.She lived in dread of her abuser returning.
synonyms:
fear, fright, horror, terror, trepidation
similar words:
alarm, angst, anxiety, apprehension, consternation, dismay, funk, jitters, panic, the willies
definition 2: that which is greatly feared.
The oral exam is his greatest dread.
synonyms:
fear, fright, horror, terror
similar words:
anxiety, bête noire, bogy, bugaboo
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: producing great fear; terrifying; dreaded; dreadful.
Polio had been a dread disease before the development of an effective vaccine.
synonyms:
fearful, frightful, ghastly, horrible, horrid, horrifying, terrible, terrifying
similar words:
abhorrent, alarming, appalling, formidable, grisly, gruesome, ominous, shocking
definition 2: inducing a feeling of awe.
The dread words of the minister stunned the congregation.
synonyms:
awesome, fearsome, formidable, redoubtable
similar words:
awful, mighty
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: dread to think
Word Explorer
See
  emotion, fear