Dread: meaning, definitions and examples

used when feeling extreme fear or worry about something bad that might happen in the future, often implying a sense of helplessness or inevitability.

• She felt a sense of dread as the exam results day approached.
• He dreaded going to the dentist.

a basic and intense emotion triggered by a threat, danger, or harm, not necessarily tied to future events like dread.

• He was paralyzed by fear when he saw the snake.
• Her fear of heights prevented her from climbing the ladder.

refers to a persistent and often general feeling of worry or nervousness, typically about something with an uncertain outcome.

• She was filled with anxiety about the upcoming meeting.
• He experienced anxiety thinking about his future.

used to describe a specific, mild fear or uneasiness about a particular event or situation, often linked to anticipation.

• There was a sense of apprehension before he started his new job.
• She felt apprehension as she approached the dark alley.

This term is often used when referring to a deep, overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety about something in the future.

• She dreaded the sound of the telephone at midnight.
• I always dread my annual performance review.

This phrase describes the act of looking forward to something with a mixture of expectation and fear, suggesting a slightly less intense feeling than pure dread.

• He anticipated with fear the results of his medical tests.
• I can't help but anticipate with fear the outcome of this risky decision.

This phrase is used when indicating a strong, intense fear, often about a significant or immediate threat.

• The villagers feared greatly that the volcano would erupt soon.
• She feared greatly for her child's safety during the storm.