Dreaded Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dreaded

[ˈdrɛdɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

feared or anticipated with great apprehension; regarded with great fear or terror

Synonyms

apprehensive, feared, feared, scary, terrifying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dreaded	Used to describe something that is greatly feared or anticipated with anxiety. Often refers to an event or situation that one wishes to avoid. She dreaded the thought of speaking in front of the whole class The dreaded day of the exam finally arrived
feared	Describes something or someone that is generally feared or regarded with a sense of impending danger. It's often used in a serious context. The feared criminal has finally been caught The disease was much feared in the olden days
terrifying	Used to describe something extremely frightening or alarming. It is often stronger than 'scary' and conveys a sense of intense fear. The roller-coaster ride was a terrifying experience The news of the natural disaster was terrifying
apprehensive	Used when someone feels anxious or fearful about something that is going to happen. It usually indicates anticipation of a negative outcome. He was apprehensive about starting his new job She felt apprehensive before her doctor's appointment
scary	Used to describe something that causes fear or makes someone feel frightened. It's often used in more casual or less serious situations. The horror movie was really scary It was a scary moment when the lights went out suddenly

Examples of usage

The dreaded exam was finally over.
She had a dreaded feeling that something bad was about to happen.
We had to face the dreaded consequences of our actions.
The dreaded monster lurked in the shadows.
I dreaded the thought of having to confront him.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

action

to anticipate with great apprehension or fear

Synonyms

anticipate, apprehend, fear, shrink from, shudder at.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dreaded	Typically used to describe something that is greatly feared or awaited with great apprehension. Often relates to future events. She dreaded going to the dentist The dreaded news finally arrived
fear	A general term for an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm. Used in both physical and emotional contexts. She has a fear of heights He feared failing the exam
anticipate	Used when someone is looking forward to something that is expected to happen, whether positive or negative. It often has a neutral or positive connotation. They anticipate the release of the new movie He anticipated rain and brought an umbrella
apprehend	Commonly used in a legal context meaning to catch or arrest, but can also mean to understand or perceive something. When related to fear, it means to worry or be anxious about something. The police apprehend criminals He could apprehend the complexity of the situation
shrink from	Used when avoiding something unpleasant or difficult, often due to fear or hesitation. Bears negative connotation. He shrinks from confrontation She shrinks from making tough decisions
shudder at	Describes a physical reaction of shivering or trembling usually due to fear or disgust. Often used for strong, visceral reactions. She shuddered at the sight of the spider He shuddered at the thought of speaking in public

Examples of usage

She dreaded the moment when she would have to tell him the truth.
He dreaded going back to that place.
They dreaded the thought of losing their jobs.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Dread is often linked to anxiety, where people anticipate negative outcomes, leading to a heightened sense of fear.
Studies show that facing dreaded situations can sometimes help reduce overall anxiety by preparing individuals for the worst.
A psychological phenomenon called 'anticipated regret' can intensify feelings of dread about future events.

Literature

In Gothic literature, characters often experience dread as a powerful emotion that enhances the atmosphere of horror.
Authors like Edgar Allan Poe expertly use the feeling of dread to build suspense and tension in their stories.
In many classic tales, dread foreshadows critical plot developments, revealing characters' inner fears.

Pop Culture

Many horror films play on the theme of 'dread' by creating suspense and leaving viewers anticipating frightening moments.
The concept is significant in video games, where designers use atmosphere and sound to evoke feelings of dread.
Songs and literature often explore themes of dread, reflecting societal fears and personal anxieties.

Science

Research indicates that the brain processes feelings of dread in the amygdala, the region responsible for fear responses.
Studies on fear conditioning show that experiences linked to dread can create lasting emotional responses and influence behavior.
Understanding dread can aid in therapeutic practices, helping individuals manage anxiety and fears more effectively.

Origin of 'dreaded'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Old English 'drædan', meaning 'to fear' or 'to be afraid of'.
It relates to similar words in other languages like the Old Norse 'dreda', which also means 'to fear'.
Historically, the term evolved to emphasize anticipatory fear rather than immediate threat.

The word 'dreaded' originated from the Middle English word 'dreden', meaning 'to fear'. Over time, the word evolved to its current form, indicating a strong feeling of fear or apprehension. The use of 'dreaded' in modern English reflects the common human experience of anticipating something with great fear or terror.

See also: dread, dreadful, dreadfully, dreadfulness.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,814, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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