fear — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A strong, unpleasant emotion or feeling caused by actual or perceived danger or threat.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Examples

   He was struck by fear on seeing the snake.

   I corralled the judge, and we started off across the fields, in no very mild state of fear of that gentleman's wife, whose vigilance was seldom relaxed.

   More examples (2)

   Serene, smiling, enigmatic, she faced him with no fear whatever showing in her dark eyes. The clear light of the bright autumn morning had no terrors for youth and health like hers.

   Turning back, then, toward the basement staircase, she began to grope her way through blinding darkness, but had taken only a few uncertain steps when, of a sudden, she stopped short and for a little stood like a stricken thing, quite motionless save that she quaked to her very marrow in the grasp of a great and enervating fear.

2. A phobia, a sense of fear induced by something or someone in particular.

   Usage

   • Countable

   Examples

   Not everybody has the same fears.

   I have a fear of ants.

3. Something one is afraid of; the object of one’s fear.

   Usage

   • Countable

   Examples

   Spiders are my greatest fear.

4. Terrified veneration or reverence, particularly towards God, gods, or sovereigns.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   dread

   Examples

   The feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome.

   That sacred dread of all offence to him, which is called the Fear of God.

5. A feeling of dread and anxiety when waking after drinking a lot of alcohol, wondering what one did while drunk.

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Countable
   • Uncountable
   • with-definite-article

   Synonyms

   hangxiety

   Examples

   Her feeling of humiliation had intensified as the day had gone on and her hangover had worsened. She now also had 'the fear' to contend with, […]

   More examples (1)

   He had the fear, that feeling of dread that you've done something really embarrassing. The fear was a hundred times worse than the hangover. No, a thousand times worse.

Verb

1. To be afraid of (something or someone); to consider or expect (something or someone) with alarm.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   I fear the worst will happen.

   I greatly fear my money is not safe.

   More examples (3)

   And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

   At twilight in the summer there is never anybody to fear—man, woman, or cat—in the chambers and at that hour the mice come out. They do not eat parchment or foolscap or red tape, but they eat the luncheon crumbs.

   One particularly damaging, but often ignored, effect of conflict on education is the proliferation of attacks on schools[…]as children, teachers or school buildings become the targets of attacks. Parents fear sending their children to school. Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence.

2. To feel fear.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   Never fear; help is always near.

   Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

3. To worry about, to feel concern for, to be afraid for [with for].

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   She fears for her son’s safety.

4. To venerate; to feel awe towards.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   People who fear God can be found in Christian churches.

5. To regret.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   I fear I have bad news for you: your husband has died.

6. To cause fear to; to frighten.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Thenne the knyghte sayd to syre Gawayn / bynde thy wounde or thy blee chaunge / for thou bybledest al thy hors and thy fayre armes /[…]/ For who someuer is hurte with this blade he shalle neuer be staunched of bledynge / Thenne ansuerd gawayn hit greueth me but lytyl / thy grete wordes shalle not feare me ne lasse my courage

   Ythrild with deepe disdaine of his proud threat, She shortly thus; Fly they, that need to fly; Wordes fearen babes.

   Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs.

   More examples (1)

   We must not make a scarecrow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape, till custom make it Their perch and not their terror.

7. To be anxious or solicitous for.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   Fearst thou thy person? thou shalt haue a guard:

   The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children: therefore, I promise ye, I fear you.

8. To suspect; to doubt.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   Fear you not her courage?

Adjective

1. Able; capable; stout; strong; sound.

   Usage

   • dialectal

   Examples

   hale and fear

Noun

1. an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

   Synonyms

   fearfulnessfright

   Antonyms

   fearlessness

   Broader terms

   emotion

2. an anxious feeling

   Synonyms

   concerncare

   Broader terms

   anxiety

   Examples

   care had aged him

   they hushed it up out of fear of public reaction

3. a feeling of profound respect for someone or something

   Synonyms

   reverenceaweveneration

   Broader terms

   emotion

   Examples

   the fear of God

   the Chinese reverence for the dead

   More examples (2)

   the French treat food with gentle reverence

   his respect for the law bordered on veneration

Verb

1. be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

   Broader terms

   worry

   Examples

   I fear she might get aggressive

2. be afraid or scared of; be frightened of

   Synonyms

   dread

   Broader terms

   feelexperience

   Examples

   I fear the winters in Moscow

   We should not fear the Communists!

3. be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement

   Broader terms

   regret

   Examples

   I fear I won't make it to your wedding party

4. be uneasy or apprehensive about

   Broader terms

   know

   Examples

   I fear the results of the final exams

5. regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of

   Synonyms

   reverencereverevenerate

   Broader terms

   respectesteemvalueprizeprise

   Examples

   Fear God as your father

   We venerate genius