fearful

[feer-fuhl]

adjective

1. causing or apt to cause fear; frightening.

   a fearful apparition.

2. feeling fear, dread, apprehension, or solicitude.

   fearful for his life.

   Synonyms: worried, concerned, anxious, solicitous, distrustful, uneasy, apprehensive, timorous, timid, afraid

3. full of awe or reverence.

   fearful of the Lord.

4. showing or caused by fear.

   fearful behavior exhibited by dogs in the animal shelter.

5. extreme in size, intensity, or badness: fearful poverty.

   a fearful head cold;

   fearful poverty.

fearful

/ ˈfɪəfʊl /

adjective

1. having fear; afraid

2. causing fear; frightening

3. informal,  very unpleasant or annoying

   a fearful cold

Other Word Forms

• fearfulness noun
• fearfully adverb
• unfearful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fearful¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ferful(l); fear, -ful

Example Sentences

"The enabling silence among critics fearful of retributions is already prevalent."

From BBC

Which raises the question, why not help all officers feel safe enough to go unmasked, rather than allowing some to work in a fearful environment?

From Los Angeles Times

"You were fearful and in a state of shock. I just thought someone was shooting."

From BBC

"Coaches are fearful of bringing in a great tool because of the criticism, not only from the fans, but maybe certain journalists."

From BBC

“I understand the fear might be real, but I would encourage anybody that is deeply fearful to explore some alternative points of view.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afraid 
• agitated 
• anxious 
• frightened 
• hesitant 
• jittery 
• nervous 
• panicky www.thesaurus.com
• scared 
• shy 
• skittish 
• tense 
• timid 
• uneasy