FEARING Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

fearing

verb

present participle of fear

as in worrying

to experience concern or anxiety her friends feared that she was dating a guy who was all wrong for her

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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.

Recent Examples of fearing Fans would be talking themselves into 10 wins and a breakout season from Bryce Underwood while quietly fearing the bottom might drop out. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The homeowners, fearing someone was attempting to break in, called 911. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Governments are often reluctant to label a food crisis in their country as a famine; fearing losses to investment and other economic implications. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 According to Rashidian, people are increasingly reluctant to discuss politics or their involvement in January’s protests, fearing surveillance and retaliation. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 But the government is reluctant to hike prices and slow demand, fearing more public anger over inflation. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Mourinho also voiced concerns about the upcoming three-week international break, fearing player injuries. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Spooked investors have even sued Supermicro for securities fraud, fearing that the company’s sales may be dominated by such illicit sales. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026 Natalie and her mother, perhaps fearing the wrath incurred by the cardinal sin, denied the cause of his death. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fearing

worrying

Verb

This was several shades darker, worrying about economic upheaval, social unrest, cyberattacks, bioterrorism—and most important, the failure of experts and governments to take these threats seriously enough.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
Celeste begins worrying about her mother-in-law after her credit cards are declined and her outfits are increasingly out of place, but things begin to click when Mary-Louise gives Max, Josh and Ziggy expensive cars.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of worrying

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fearfulness

fearing

fearless

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“Fearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fearing. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fearing

verb

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