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Showing results for dreading.
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.

All of these factors contribute towards a situation which has now left many dreading the idea of going to A&E.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 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

In private, in my office, she admitted to avoiding mirrors, skipping photos and dreading social events.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Each night, she would lie awake dreading the next day.

From Slate • Sep. 15, 2025

I haven’t said anything to anyone about it, but I’ve been kind of dreading tomorrow.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.