dread

[ dred ]

/ drɛd /

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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.

Nearby words

drayman, drayton, drayton, michael, drch., dre, dread, dreaded, dreadful, dreadfully, dreadlocks, dreadnought

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

SYNONYMS FOR dread

5 See fear.

10 dire, dreadful, horrible.

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ANTONYMS FOR dread

1 welcome.

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Related forms

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

un·dread·ing, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
I became paranoid and avoided her neighborhood, dreading the idea of running into her.
Model Diaries: Escape From Istanbul|Anonymous|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
He hung about the house for several days, dreading the return to college and Mrs. Winkler.
The Forbidden Trail|Honor Willsie
Philippe was not cold; he perspired in his harness, dreading further questions.
Maitre Cornelius|Honore de Balzac
With a little shiver of disgust she drew slightly away from him, dreading what was to come.
Keith of the Border|Randall Parrish
He lost no time in climbing down to her side, dreading what he might find.
The Man of the Desert|Grace Livingston Hill
"It was silly of me, but I was so dreading that 'Miss Ward;'" and somehow a load seemed lifted off her at that moment.
Mollie's Prince|Rosa Nouchette Carey

British Dictionary definitions for dreading

dread

/ (drɛd) /

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