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

“We were dreading this. But unfortunately, I personally thought it’s a matter of when, not if.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

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

From Slate • Sep. 15, 2025

No doubt they had searched for him in a large area around the cave, dreading to find him injured, or dead.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

dreading

Example Sentences

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