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Definition of fearfulness

fearfulness

/ˈfɪr.fəl.nəs/
fear · ful · ness
Adverb:fearfully
•
Adjective:fearful
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fearfulness Lexical Profile

fearfulness Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The emotional state of feeling afraid, anxious, or apprehensive, or a general disposition toward timidity.

Example

"Years of gentle training helped the rescued dog overcome its natural fearfulness around strangers."

2

The quality of being frightening, dreadful, or inspiring terror and awe.

Example

"The sheer fearfulness of the jagged mountain precipice made the hikers pause before continuing along the narrow trail."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for fearfulness

• Nearby Words

fear
fearful
fearfully
fearfulness
fearless
fearlessly
fearlessness

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English as 'ferfulnesse', derived from the adjective 'fearful' (from Old English 'fǣr', meaning 'calamity, sudden danger, or terror') plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fearfulness. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fearfulness
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