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.

And so I was dreading having to editorialize about this, but fortunately a pollster did it for me.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2026

Many of my Chicago neighbors wake each morning dreading what they’ll read in the newspaper.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 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

Later that year, Lively also sent texts to actress and co-star Jenny Slate, and said she was "dreading" going back to set and "getting hits of the experience in really upsetting ways".

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

His eyes searched the woods ahead, dreading what he might see.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret

dreading

Example Sentences

Related Words