fearing

VERB

feel alarm; be scared of

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anticipate avoid dread expect foresee shun suspect worry

STRONG

apprehend blanch cower crouch falter flinch fret quail quaver shrink shudder shy start tremble wilt

WEAK

be afraid be anxious be apprehensive be disquieted be frightened be in awe break out in a sweat dare not feel concern have butterflies have qualms lose courage

Antonyms

STRONGEST

face meet want

STRONG

calm steady stretch

WEAK

brave

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 generations that inherit large tranches of stock in a trust as an income beneficiary, for example, can live off the income generated without fearing drawbacks in the market.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

She remembers "running in and out of people's rooms" and fearing a mother or baby would die because of a lack of appropriate staff.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

“That element is to encapsulate that Stagg was fearing for his wife. As he walks down this corridor, he is faced with: Is she alive? Is she dead?”

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Mistakenly fearing that meaningful conversations would go poorly can keep us from creating the strongest connections.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Right hand, left hand, right hand, left hand, the ball drummed against the cement as Ben waited for his father to move out against him and Bull held back, fearing the drive to the basket.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy