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1. An emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
   - fearfulness, fright
    
2. An anxious feeling
   "they hushed it up out of fear of public reaction";
   - concern, care
    
3. A feeling of profound respect for someone or something
   "the fear of God";
   - reverence, awe, veneration

1. Be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
   "I fear she might get aggressive"
    
2. Be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
   "We should not fear the Communists!"; "I fear the winters in Moscow";
   - dread
    
3. Be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement
   "I fear I won't make it to your wedding party"
    
4. Be uneasy or apprehensive about
   "I fear the results of the final exams"
    
5. Regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed, exalted or be in awe of
   "Fear God as your father";
   - reverence, revere, venerate

Derived forms: fears, fearing, feared

See also: afraid, fearless, 'fraid [non-standard], unafraid

Type of: anxiety, emotion, esteem, prize, regret, respect, sweat [N. Amer, informal], value, worry

Antonym: fearlessness

Encyclopedia: Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas discography