Definitions

in a cold sweat

ADJECTIVE

apprehensive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid concerned doubtful jittery jumpy suspicious uncertain uneasy uptight

WEAK

alarmed biting nails butterflies disquieted feel in bones foreboding frozen get vibes have a hunch have cold feet have funny feeling have stage fright hung up in a dither in a sweat lily-livered mistrustful running scared shaky stiff troubled weak worried worried sick

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm certain clear collected composed confident cool definite easygoing happy laid-back sure unquestionable

WEAK

at ease quiet unafraid undoubting unfearful unsuspicious unworried

ADJECTIVE

frightened

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid anxious fearful panicky spooked startled unnerved

STRONG

abashed affrighted alarmed butterflies cowed dismayed frozen numb petrified terrified terrorized yellow

WEAK

aghast chicken chicken-hearted have cold feet having kittens hung up in a panic in a sweat jittery jumpy lily-livered mousy pushing the panic button rabbity running scared scared stiff shaky shivery sissy terror-stricken uptight

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bold brave cool courageous happy unafraid

WEAK

calm comforted

ADJECTIVE

petrified

Synonyms

STRONG

alarmed dazed frightened frozen immobilized numb scared shocked spooked startled stunned terrorized unnerved

WEAK

afraid anxious fearful have cold feet in a panic panicky pushing the panic button scared stiff speechless terror-stricken

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.

As the harried solo parent of a sick child, Byrne lets the camera zoom in so close to her character’s insecurities that the audience breaks out in a cold sweat.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

Charles Green, Imran Ahmad, Derek Llambias, Barry Leach, David Somers - all these and more still have the capacity to make some on the current board break out in a cold sweat.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2024

"Even when I realise I am not in Kuta traffic, I can shake in fear, break out in a cold sweat and feel really scared."

From Reuters • Oct. 11, 2022

Even the most devoted cat owners wonder at some point, perhaps waking up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night, whether their cat really loves them.

From Scientific American • Oct. 5, 2022

Throughout the night I would toss and turn, drenched in a cold sweat, unable to sleep.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

in a cold sweat

Example Sentences

Related Words