fears

NOUN

alarm, apprehension

Synonyms

STRONGEST

angst anxiety concern despair dismay doubt dread horror jitters panic scare suspicion terror unease uneasiness worry

STRONG

abhorrence agitation aversion awe consternation cowardice creeps discomposure disquietude distress faintheartedness foreboding fright funk misgiving nightmare phobia presentiment qualm reverence revulsion timidity trembling tremor trepidation

WEAK

chickenheartedness cold feet cold sweat recreancy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

assurance calmness cheer confidence contentment ease encouragement faith happiness joy trust

STRONG

calm comfort like liking love

WEAK

bravery courage fearlessness heroism unconcern

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.

See Examples For:

fears

However, the collapse of the ceasefire earlier this month reignited fears over global energy supplies and pushed the oil price back up.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

Leising fears the sea lions -- one of California's signature animals -- could soon suffer.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

To combat fears using such apps may drive people to seek out some species when they shouldn't, Lifer hides precise locations of rare breeding birds on maps during sensitive periods.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

OpenAI’s revelation this past week that its AI models escaped confinement and hacked another tech company’s systems gave new credibility to fears that this technology can, in fact, go sci-fi villain mode.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

I guess I’m not totally alone, though I doubt my little cousin can solve the jumble of fears clogging up my brain.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller