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   Fear

   /fir/

   

   noun

   • 1. an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat: "he is prey to irrational fears" Similar terrorfrightfearfulnesshorroralarmpanicagitationtrepidationdreadconsternationdismaydistressanxietyworryangstuneaseuneasinessapprehensionapprehensivenessnervousnessnervestimiditydisquietdisquietudediscomposureunrestperturbationforebodingmisgivingdoubtsuspicioninformal:the creepsthe williesthe heebie-jeebiesthe shakesthe collywobblesjitterinesstwitchinessbutterflies (in the stomach)funkblue funkthe (screaming) abdabsrhyming slang:the Joe Blakesarchaic:worrimentrare:inquietudephobiaaversionantipathydreadbugbearbogeynightmarehorrorterroranxietyneurosiscomplexmaniaabnormal fearirrational fearobsessive fearbête noireinformal:hang-upOpposite calmnessconfidence
   • ▪ a feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety and well-being of someone: "police launched a search for the family amid fears for their safety"
   • ▪ the likelihood of something unwelcome happening: "she could observe the other guests without too much fear of attracting attention" Similar likelihoodlikelinessprospectpossibilitychanceoddsprobabilityexpectationconceivabilityfeasibilityplausibilityriskdanger
   • ▪ a mixed feeling of dread and reverence: "the love and fear of God" Similar awewonderwondermentamazementreverencevenerationrespectdreadOpposite indifference

   verb

   • 1. be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening: "farmers fear that they will lose business" Similar be afraid ofbe fearful ofbe scared ofbe apprehensive ofdreadlive in fear ofgo in terror ofbe terrified ofbe terrified bycower beforetremble beforecringe fromshrink fromflinch frombe anxious aboutworry aboutpanic aboutfeel consternation abouthave forebodings aboutfeel apprehensive aboutinformal:be in a blue funk abouthave a phobia abouthave a horror ofhave a dread ofshudder attake fright at
   • ▪ feel anxiety or apprehension on behalf of: "I fear for the city with this madman let loose in it" Similar worry aboutfeel anxious/concerned abouthave anxieties abouthave qualms aboutfeel disquiet forbe solicitous for
   • ▪ avoid or put off doing something because one is afraid: "they aim to make war so horrific that potential aggressors will fear to resort to it" Similar be too afraidbe too scaredbe too apprehensivehesitatedare notinformal:have cold feet about
   • ▪ used to express regret or apology: "I'll buy her book, though not, I fear, the hardback version"
   • ▪ regard (God) with reverence and awe: "he urged his listeners to fear God" Similar stand in awe ofregard with awereverereverenceveneraterespectdreadbe intimidated by

   Word Origin Old Englishfǣr ‘calamity, danger’, fǣran ‘frighten’, also ‘revere’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch gevaar and German Gefahr ‘danger’.

   Scrabble Points: 7

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2. People also ask

   Where does fear come from?

   • Fear is found and reflected in mythology and folklore as well as in works of fiction such as novels and films. Works of dystopian and (post)apocalyptic fiction convey the fears and anxieties of societies. The fear of the world's end is about as old as civilization itself.

   Fear - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear

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   What is a fear response?

   • The fear response arises from the perception of danger leading to confrontation with or escape from/avoiding the threat (also known as the fight-or-flight response ), which in extreme cases of fear ( horror and terror) can be a freeze response . In humans and other animals, fear is modulated by the process of cognition and learning.

   Fear - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear

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   What is an example of fear?

   • Excessive, unreasonable, persistent feelings of fear or anxiety that are triggered by a particular object, activity, or situation. Feelings that are either irrational or out of proportion to any actual threat. For example, while anyone may be afraid of an unrestrained, menacing dog, most people do not run away from a calm, quiet animal on a leash.

   Phobia - Harvard Health

   www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/phobia-a-to-z

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3. en.wikipedia.org › wiki › FearFear - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Fear

   • Cached

   May 21, 2024 · Fear is an intensely unpleasant primal emotion in response to perceiving or recognizing a danger or threat. Fear causes psychological changes that may produce behavioral reactions such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the threat.

4. www.health.harvard.edu › a_to_z › phobia-a-to-zPhobia - Harvard Health

   www.health.harvard.edu › a_to_z › phobia-a-to-z

   • Cached

   May 7, 2024 · A phobia is a persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity, or situation. It is a type of anxiety disorder. A person with a phobia either tries to avoid the thing that triggers the fear, or endures it with great anxiety and distress.

   • Email: hhp_info@health.harvard.edu

5. en.wikipedia.org › wiki › AnxietyAnxiety - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Anxiety

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   May 23, 2024 · Fear and anxiety can be differentiated into four domains: (1) duration of emotional experience, (2) temporal focus, (3) specificity of the threat, and (4) motivated direction. Fear is short-lived, present-focused, geared towards a specific threat, and facilitating escape from threat.

6. www.britannica.com › science › anxietyAnxiety | Causes, Coping Strategies & Therapy | Britannica

   www.britannica.com › science › anxiety

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   3 days ago · anxiety, a feeling of dread, fear, or apprehension, often with no clear justification. Anxiety is distinguished from fear because the latter arises in response to a clear and actual danger, such as one affecting a person’s physical safety.

   • Author: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

7. www.webmd.com › anxiety-panic › anxiety-disordersAnxiety Disorders: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

   www.webmd.com › anxiety-panic › anxiety-disorders

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   May 6, 2024 · The main symptom of anxiety disorders is excessive fear or worry. Anxiety disorders can also make it hard to breathe, sleep, stay still, and concentrate.

8. www.betterhelp.com › advice › anxietyAnxiety: Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Support Options - BetterHelp

   www.betterhelp.com › advice › anxiety

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   May 15, 2024 · On the other hand, fear is defined as an automatic state of alarm potentiated by the fight-or-flight response. “Anxiety is not the same as fear, but they are often used interchangeably.

9. www.britannica.com › science › amygdalaAmygdala | Definition, Function, Location, & Facts | Britannica

   www.britannica.com › science › amygdala

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   May 20, 2024 · Also known as: amygdaloid body, archistriatum. Written by. C. Daniel Salzman. Assistant professor in the departments of neuroscience and psychiatry at Columbia University. C. Daniel Salzman. Fact-checked by. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica.