fear

/ˈfɪər/

/fɪə/

Other forms: feared; fears; fearing

Does the sight of a snake fill you with panic and the desire to run away as quickly as possible? If so, you have a fear of snakes.

People have fear for many things: bugs, guns, heights, etc. Horror movies try to fill the audience with fear. Some fears make more sense than others. The fear of jumping out of planes makes a lot of sense, but the fear of public speaking isn't as logical: it won't kill you. Fear includes anxiety and can be very emotionally painful. If you're scared of anything, you know what fear is all about.

Definitions of fear

1. noun

   an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
   synonyms: fearfulness, fright

   antonyms:

   fearlessness

   feeling no fear

   types:

   alarm, consternation, dismay

   fear resulting from the awareness of danger

   creeps

   a feeling of fear and revulsion

   chill, frisson, quiver, shiver, shudder, thrill, tingle

   an almost pleasurable sensation of fright

   horror

   intense and profound fear

   hysteria

   excessive or uncontrollable fear

   affright, panic, terror

   an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

   panic attack, scare

   a sudden attack of fear

   stage fright

   fear that affects a person about to face an audience

   apprehension, apprehensiveness, dread

   fearful expectation or anticipation

   timidity, timidness, timorousness

   fear of the unknown or unfamiliar or fear of making decisions

   intimidation

   the feeling of being intimidated; being made to feel afraid or timid

   swivet

   a panic or extreme discomposure

   trepidation

   a feeling of alarm or dread

   boding, foreboding, premonition, presentiment

   a feeling of evil to come

   suspense

   apprehension about what is going to happen

   cold feet

   timidity that prevents the continuation of a course of action

   shyness

   a feeling of fear of embarrassment

   diffidence, self-distrust, self-doubt

   lack of self-confidence

   gloom, gloominess, somberness, sombreness

   a feeling of melancholy apprehension

   chill, pall

   a sudden numbing dread

   type of:

   emotion

   any strong feeling
2. noun

   an anxious feeling
   “they hushed it up out of fear of public reaction”

   synonyms: care, concern

   type of:

   anxiety

   a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some (usually ill-defined) misfortune
3. verb

   be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
   “I fear the winters in Moscow”

   “We should not fear the Communists!”

   synonyms: dread

   types:

   panic

   be overcome by a sudden fear

   freak, freak out, gross out

   lose one's nerve
4. verb

   be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
   “I fear she might get aggressive”

   type of:

   worry

   be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
5. verb

   be uneasy or apprehensive about
   “I fear the results of the final exams”
6. verb

   be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement
   “I fear I won't make it to your wedding party”

   type of:

   regret

   express with regret
7. noun

   a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
   “the fear of God”

   synonyms: awe, reverence, veneration

   type of:

   emotion

   any strong feeling
8. verb

   regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
   “Fear God as your father”

   synonyms: revere, reverence, venerate

   types:

   enshrine, saint

   hold sacred

   worship

   show devotion to (a deity)

   type of:

   esteem, prise, prize, respect, value

   regard highly; think much of