for fear of

phrase

: due to being afraid of
He won't say anything for fear of losing his job.

Examples of for fear of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These figures are likely underestimates, since undocumented migrants generally avoid surveys for fear of deportation. — Johanna Bard Richlin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 Like other Tigrayans quoted in this story, he is being referred to only by his surname for fear of retaliation by armed groups. — Siyanne Mekonnen, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026 Major financial firms like Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo stopped participating in the company’s lucrative rankings of wealth advisers for fear of being tarnished by association. — Benjamin Mullin, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 And a third client chose to plead guilty in his criminal case rather than go to jury trial, despite Barraza’s advice that the case was worth fighting, for fear of being arrested by ICE. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for for fear of

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“For fear of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20fear%20of. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster