dreading

[dred-ing] / ˈdrɛd ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

anxious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid apprehensive careful concerned distressed fearful fidgety jittery nervous restless scared uneasy uptight

WEAK

aghast antsy basket case bugged butterflies choked clutched disquieted disturbed fretful hacked hyper in a state in a tizzy in suspense jumpy nervy overwrought shaking shaky shivery shook-up shot to pieces solicitous spooked strung-out sweating bullets taut troubled unglued unquiet watchful wired worried sick wreck

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bold brave calm collected composed confident cool courageous happy inattentive quiet unafraid unconcerned unfearful unworried

WEAK

assured content indifferent peaceful tranqil unwilling

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The couple is among thousands of immigrant parents hiding in their homes in Minneapolis, dreading that federal agents will come knocking.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

In private, in my office, she admitted to avoiding mirrors, skipping photos and dreading social events.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

The scene everyone is dreading and/or waiting for doesn’t exist, so what exists in its place?

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

I was dreading that as much as I had dreaded getting scammed.

From Slate • Aug. 4, 2025

Mamá told the girls, and I headed home to them, rushing to comfort them yet dreading what I knew was to come.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

dreading

Example Sentences

Related Words