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   fear

   /fɪə/

   noun

   • 1. an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm: "I cowered in fear as bullets whizzed past" Similar terrorfrightfearfulnesshorroralarmpanicagitationtrepidationdreadconsternationdismaydistressanxietyworryangstuneaseuneasinessapprehensionapprehensivenessnervousnessnervestimiditydisquietdisquietudediscomposureunrestperturbationforebodingmisgivingdoubtsuspicioninformal:the creepsthe williesthe heebie-jeebiesthe shakesthe collywobblesjitterinesstwitchinessbutterflies (in the stomach)funkblue funkthe (screaming) abdabsrhyming slang:the Joe Blakesarchaic:worrimentrare:inquietudephobiaaversionantipathydreadbugbearbogeynightmarehorrorterroranxietyneurosiscomplexmaniaabnormal fearirrational fearobsessive fearbête noireinformal:hang-upOpposite calmnessconfidence
   • ▪ a feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety of someone: "police launched a hunt for the family amid fears for their safety"
   • ▪ the likelihood of something unwelcome happening: "she observed the other guests without fear of attracting attention" Similar likelihoodlikelinessprospectpossibilitychanceoddsprobabilityexpectationconceivabilityfeasibilityplausibilityriskdanger
   • ▪ a mixed feeling of dread and reverence: "the love and fear of God" Similar awewonderwondermentamazementreverencevenerationrespectdreadOpposite indifference

   verb

   • 1. be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful: "I hated him but didn't fear him any more" Similar be afraid ofbe fearful ofbe scared ofbe apprehensive ofdreadlive in fear ofgo in terror ofbe terrified ofbe terrified bycower beforetremble beforecringe fromshrink fromflinch frombe anxious aboutworry aboutpanic aboutfeel consternation abouthave forebodings aboutfeel apprehensive aboutinformal:be in a blue funk abouthave a phobia abouthave a horror ofhave a dread ofshudder attake fright at
   • ▪ feel anxiety on behalf of: "I fear for the city with this madman let loose in it" Similar worry aboutfeel anxious/concerned abouthave anxieties abouthave qualms aboutfeel disquiet forbe solicitous for
   • ▪ avoid doing something because one is afraid: "she eventually feared to go out at all" Similar be too afraidbe too scaredbe too apprehensivehesitatedare notinformal:have cold feet about
   • ▪ used to express regret or apology: "I shall buy her book, though not, I fear, the hardback version"
   • ▪ regard (God) with reverence and awe: "he urged his listeners to fear God" Similar stand in awe ofregard with awereverereverenceveneraterespectdreadbe intimidated by

   Word Origin Old Englishfǣr ‘calamity, danger’, fǣran ‘frighten’, also ‘revere’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch gevaar and German Gefahr ‘danger’.

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • F

     4

   • E

     1

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

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