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fear

fear

 
 
pronunciation:
fir
parts of speech:
noun, transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word History, Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: an emotion characterized by alarm, anxiety, and tension, often caused by an expectation of danger or pain; dread.
 
synonyms:
apprehension, dread, fright, terror, trepidation
antonyms:
fearlessness
similar words:
alarm, angst, anxiety, consternation, dismay, horror, panic, phobia, scare, tension
definition 2: a specific occurrence of such an emotion.
synonyms:
apprehension, dread, fright, terror, trepidation
antonyms:
fearlessness
similar words:
alarm, angst, anxiety, consternation, dismay, horror, panic, phobia, scare, tension
definition 3: something that causes such an emotion.
His greatest fear is of losing his wife.
synonyms:
dread, fright, terror
similar words:
anxiety, bête noire, horror, phobia, worry
definition 4: profound awe or reverence, esp. toward a supreme power or being.
synonyms:
awe, reverence, veneration
similar words:
amazement, esteem, honor, marvel, respect, wonder
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: fears, fearing, feared
definition 1: to be frightened of or apprehensive about.
Many people fear the dark.Her husband beat her, but she feared calling the police.He wanted to invest, but he feared losing his money.
synonyms:
apprehend, dread
similar words:
forebode
definition 2: to be in reverence or awe of.
She was taught to fear God.
synonyms:
revere, venerate
similar words:
esteem, honor, marvel, respect, wonder
definition 3: to suspect.
I fear that you are being deceived.
synonyms:
suspect
antonyms:
trust
similar words:
wonder
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to be afraid or frightened.
similar words:
anguish, cower, dread, panic, quail, tense, tremble, worry
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
Word History
Fear comes from fere, an Old English word. Its earliest meaning, in the 700s, was "danger or peril." It was not used for the feeling of fear until the 1300s.
Word Builder: fear +
  • fearful:
    having or showing fear.
  • fearless:
    having or showing no fear.
Word Explorer
broader categories that include fear
conventionally associated with fear
feeling fear
similar to fear
some actions related to fear
some people associated with fear
some reactions to fear
some states of fear
some things that cause fear
without fear