fearing

VERB

feel alarm; be scared of

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anticipate avoid dread expect foresee shun suspect worry

STRONG

apprehend blanch cower crouch falter flinch fret quail quaver shrink shudder shy start tremble wilt

WEAK

be afraid be anxious be apprehensive be disquieted be frightened be in awe break out in a sweat dare not feel concern have butterflies have qualms lose courage

Antonyms

STRONGEST

face meet want

STRONG

calm steady stretch

WEAK

brave

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.

Columbia and New York University became hot schools once parents stopped fearing urban crime.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

“What we are fearing is the combination of shocks: energy, food, and broader inflation all hitting at once,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Cenet remains haunted by that stop, fearing a "worst-case scenario", he said.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

After goals from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol put City 2-0 up inside 25 minutes, Leeds were left fearing the worst.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

The hinges protested feebly and I halted, fearing someone might still be in the theatre.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood