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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

I woke in a cold sweat of reality.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2023

"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

He would wake up in a cold sweat.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston