dread

[dred]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dread ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to fear greatly; be in extreme apprehension of: to dread death.

to be reluctant to do, meet, or experience: I dread going to big parties.

Archaic. to hold in respectful awe.

verb (used without object)

to be in great fear.

noun

terror or apprehension as to something in the future; great fear.

a person or thing dreaded.

dreads, Informal. dreadlocks.

Informal. a person who wears dreadlocks.w

Archaic. deep awe or reverence.

adjective

greatly feared; frightful; terrible.

held in awe or reverential fear.

Origin of dread

1125–75; Middle English dreden (v.), Old English drǣdan, aphetic variant of adrǣdan, ondrǣdan; cognate with Old High German intrātan to fear

Related formsdread·a·ble, adjectivedread·ness, nounpre·dread, noun, verb (used with object)un·dread·ed, adjectiveun·dread·ing, adjective

Synonyms for dread

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dread ON THESAURUS.COM

5. See fear. 10. dire, dreadful, horrible.

Antonyms for dread

1. welcome.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for dreading

apprehend, tremble, shudder, quake, fear, cringe, misdoubt

Examples from the Web for dreading

Contemporary Examples of dreading

Gävle Goat must be dreading the imminent holiday and his fifty-fifty chance of destruction.
Sweden’s Burning Christmas Goat
Nina Strochlic
December 25, 2014
Is it possible to really look forward to something, while dreading it too?
How to Make It Through Thanksgiving Alive
Lizzie Crocker
November 26, 2014
I was dreading that moment, because there I was thinking I was wasting all of my money and I would have no more savings.
Meet Justin Jedlica, the Real Life Ken Doll
Erin Cunningham
April 15, 2014
I became paranoid and avoided her neighborhood, dreading the idea of running into her.
Model Diaries: Escape From Istanbul
Anonymous
March 8, 2014
With Dolly dreading a return across the Atlantic to singledom, Emily strikes upon the idea that she could stay as a temporary PA.
‘Doll & Em’ Is the Female ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
Nico Hines
February 7, 2014

Historical Examples of dreading

Dreading a rejection, I solicited the interest of the merry damsel.
The Seven Vagabonds (From "Twice Told Tales")
Nathaniel Hawthorne
It seemed to me that the trouble I was dreading would come through her.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
It was the hemorrhage coming, the near end which Ferrand had been dreading.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
They still carry the bucket and the pole, hoping yet dreading to meet their parents.
Classic Myths
Mary Catherine Judd
"No, I swear to you I don't," said Muffat, dreading a scene.
Nana, The Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for dreading

dread

verb (tr)

to anticipate with apprehension or terror

to fear greatly

archaic to be in awe of

noun

great fear; horror

an object of terror

slang a Rastafarian

archaic deep reverence

adjective

literary awesome; awe-inspiring

Word Origin for dread

Old English ondrǣdan; related to Old Saxon antdrādan, Old High German intrātan

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dreading

dread

late 12c., a shortening of Old English adrædan, contraction of ondrædan "counsel or advise against," also "to dread, fear, be afraid," from on- "against" + rædan "to advise" (see read (v.)). Cognate of Old Saxon andradon, Old High German intraten. Related: Dreaded; dreading. As a noun from 12c.