1. An emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
   "The child's fear of the dark persisted";
   - 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 scared of; be frightened of
   "We should not fear the Communists!"; "I fear the winters in Moscow";
   - dread
    
2. Be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
   "I fear she might get aggressive"
    
3. Be uneasy or apprehensive about
   "I fear the results of the final exams"
    
4. Regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed, exalted or be in awe of
   "Fear God as your father";
   - reverence, revere, venerate
    
5. Be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement
   "I fear I won't make it to your wedding party"

Derived forms: fears, fearing, feared

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

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

Antonym: bravery

Encyclopedia: Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas