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.

Fears about the impact of artificial intelligence on software haven’t helped.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

“It was ‘Let Your Fears Make You Fierce’,” she says, reaching for her phone to show the book is still in her audiobook library.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

Behind the withdrawals: Fears about the funds’ heavy lending to software businesses that could be made obsolete by artificial intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Fears for Adobe were heightened last week when AI company Anthropic unveiled Claude Design, which ‌allows ⁠users to create designs, prototypes and presentations using its chatbot.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Fears have been raised that in their enthusiasm scientists might inadvertently create a black hole or even something called "strange quarks," which could, theoretically, interact with other subatomic particles and propagate uncontrollably.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson