as in terrifying
causing fear
every ship on the Spanish Main was terrified of running into the dread pirate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in worry
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
the dread felt by people awaiting bad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
we were filled with dread when we saw the rapids we would be rafting down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in terror
something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason
speaking in public is a perennial dread for many people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dread
Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
Mix that with panic, dread, and disappointment from the judges, pack your bags!
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2025
Michael Swensen / Getty Images For many, there was a sense of dread that the worst was still to come.
—CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a spot that NFL teams dread being in this offseason.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dread
Adjective
His pulse rings with an animal excitement indistinguishable from dread, panic: a flood of adrenaline, as if his life were at risk.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
Mix that with panic, dread, and disappointment from the judges, pack your bags!
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
Within Apple’s operations, finance and marketing departments, fears had grown about the impact on the fall launch of new phones — and fueled a sense of dread.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2025
Michael Swensen / Getty Images For many, there was a sense of dread that the worst was still to come.
—CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
With the spring period concluding, Charlotte now has to trim its roster down to 105 players from 120 — something that Albin has been long dreading.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a spot that NFL teams dread being in this offseason.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dread
Adjective
-
To cut yourself off from people is to lose your connection and way in a glorious, terrifying world.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
-
Audio and video deepfakes created with generative AI tools add a new, terrifying wrinkle to scam spotting.—
Kim Key,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Another request that was also denied spelled out similar worries.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2025
-
But that worry has gone into overdrive upon learning that Carlos’ body was found in the Truckee River.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Madrid’s lack of defensive intensity means their opponents can progress upfield with little fear at times, knowing that Ancelotti’s forward line does not provide their team-mates the protection that comes with pressing from the front.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
-
The governments of both Asian nations will start negotiations on a broad set of issues at a neutral site, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X. The ceasefire comes after the Indian and Pakistani militaries targeted each others’ bases, fueling fears of an all-out war.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Dedicated to the 184 victims who died at the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77 during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the somber National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial features 184 illuminated benches situated among 84 Crepe Myrtle trees.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
-
Democracy is based on trust whereas dictatorships are based on terror.—
Paul Bernstein,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
These frightening and repulsive actions represent the most significant breach on our Capitol in over two hundred years.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
Mellencamp's frightening diagnosis, though, hasn't stopped her resolve.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Sewing anxiety and confusion are usually first steps from Trump ahead of negotiation.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
5 May 2025
-
Annoying airport delays, congested highways and spiraling vacation costs can result in stress and anxiety.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Noun
-
Others get their start in spring and plague the summer lawn.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2025
-
That said, consumption changes continue to plague cable.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
So their arrival in the world of the New Avengers may be a harbinger of scary things to come.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
2 May 2025
-
Director Felipe Vargas’ feature debut is first rate and genuinely scary but also has higher aspirations by reminding us of the dangers of ignoring our family history and for choosing to help out the wealthy and not those in need.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dread. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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