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Definitions

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.

“When you get on a plane, you know you’re that guy that everybody is dreading sitting next to.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

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

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

Some of them must be dreading—as we all need to start dreading and doing everything to stop—the days and nights that lie ahead.

From Slate • Sep. 30, 2025

I suddenly began dreading the drive into the city.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi