Fear
WordNet
noun
(1) An emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
(2) A profound emotion inspired by a deity
"The fear of God"
(3) An anxious feeling
"Care had aged him"
"They hushed it up out of fear of public reaction"
verb
(4) Regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
"Fear God as your father"
"We venerate genius"
(5) Be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
"I fear the winters in Moscow"
"We should not fear the Communists!"
(6) Be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement
"I fear I won't make it to your wedding party"
(7) Be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
"I fear she might get aggressive"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
(verb).
Noun
- A strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion caused by actual or perceived danger or threat.
- He was struck by fear on seeing the snake.
- A phobia, a sense of fear induced by something or someone.
- Not everybody has the same fears.
- I have a fear of ants.
- Extreme veneration or awe, as toward a supreme being or deity.
Synonyms
dread, terror dread, phobia awe, reverence, veneration- See also Wikisaurus:fear
Verb
- To cause fear to; to frighten.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book V:
- ‘Be God,’ sayde Sir Gawayne, ‘his grevys me but lytyll; yet shalt thou nat feare me for all thy grete wordis.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book V:
- To feel fear about (something).
- I fear the worst will happen.
- To venerate; to feel awe towards.
- Regret
- I fear [regret that] I have bad news for you: your husband has died.