fear
noun
a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
had been fearing
-
past perfect progressiveof fear.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Investors had been fearing a worse scenario for Royal Caribbean—and other cruise companies —than the guidance would suggest.
From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026
Additionally, management shared on the earnings call that funding requirements will be below $100 billion, whereas some investors had been fearing a steeper amount.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 16, 2025
Dr Land said he had been fearing a botulism outbreak for years, noticing more and more businesses in the region offering injections that were suspiciously cheap.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2025
This was the moment firefighters and observatory officials had been fearing: the fire striking a direct blow to the complex.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2020
Maybe, he had seen it long before Janie did, and had been fearing for her to see.
From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston
