fears

NOUN

alarm, apprehension

Synonyms

STRONGEST

angst anxiety concern despair dismay doubt dread horror jitters panic scare suspicion terror unease uneasiness worry

STRONG

abhorrence agitation aversion awe consternation cowardice creeps discomposure disquietude distress faintheartedness foreboding fright funk misgiving nightmare phobia presentiment qualm reverence revulsion timidity trembling tremor trepidation

WEAK

chickenheartedness cold feet cold sweat recreancy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

assurance calmness cheer confidence contentment ease encouragement faith happiness joy trust

STRONG

calm comfort like liking love

WEAK

bravery courage fearlessness heroism unconcern

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.

To Chatterjee, those fears are “likely overblown” given that the ramp of Nvidia’s scale-out CPO looks to be on track, he said, citing discussions with suppliers.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

That setup led to fears that Tesla stock would be weak or volatile heading into the IPO.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

For young men like Bakary Jaiju, already prepared to risk everything, it is little deterrent; for human rights groups it brings new fears for asylum seekers and their struggle to be heard.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

—Asian equities mostly retreated Wednesday as renewed U.S.-Iran tensions stoked fears of supply disruptions and prompted investors to pull capital from stock markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

I finally confessed my fears to him one night, and he gave me a lecture about “being rational” and not letting my fears limit me.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan