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   fear

   /fir/

   noun

   • 1. an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat: "he is prey to irrational fears" 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 and well-being of someone: "police launched a search for the family amid fears for their safety"
   • ▪ the likelihood of something unwelcome happening: "she could observe the other guests without too much 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 threatening: "farmers fear that they will lose business" 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 or apprehension 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 or put off doing something because one is afraid: "they aim to make war so horrific that potential aggressors will fear to resort to it" Similar be too afraidbe too scaredbe too apprehensivehesitatedare notinformal:have cold feet about
   • ▪ used to express regret or apology: "I'll 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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