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Showing results for fearful. Search instead for fearfuln.
Definitions

fearful

[feer-fuhl] / ˈfɪər fəl /
ADJECTIVE
alarmed, apprehensive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid agitated anxious frightened hesitant jittery nervous panicky scared shy skittish tense timid uneasy
WEAK
aflutter aghast chicken chickenhearted diffident discomposed disquieted disturbed fainthearted goose-bumpy have cold feet in a dither intimidated jumpy lily-livered mousy nerveless nervy perturbed phobic pusillanimous quivery rabbity running scared shaky sheepish shrinking solicitous spineless timorous tremulous unmanly weak-kneed worried yellow
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bold brave calm composed confident cool easygoing extroverted fearless happy laid-back unafraid unworried
WEAK
courageous good inapprehensive nice pleasant unfearful
ADJECTIVE
horrifying
Synonyms
WEAK
appalling astounding atrocious awful baleful bloodcurdling creepy dire distressing dreadful eerie formidable frightful ghastly ghoulish grievous grim grisly gruesome hair-raising hideous horrendous horrible horrific lurid macabre monstrous morbid overwhelming redoubtable shocking shuddersome sinister strange sublime terrible tremendous unearthly unspeakable
Antonyms
WEAK
bold brave courageous good inapprehensive nice pleasant unafraid unfearful

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.

The prefrontal cortex helps guide decisions in fearful situations, while deeper areas such as the periaqueductal gray in the midbrain control responses like freezing or fleeing.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

Many Gen Xers are approaching retirement fearful they won’t have enough money and are reporting “pension envy,” according to a recent survey.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

But as famed investor Warren Buffett has said, the time to be greedy is when others are fearful.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

But Dolly soon started displaying anxious and fearful behaviour which developed into increasing aggression.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

He was ever fearful of what lay in the shadows, and that ever-present dread, combined with his constant tilting at windmills, exhausted him.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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