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dread Synonyms

Another word for dread

Choosing another word for dread depends on context, so the 31 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 6 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• noun (Context 1)

A strong feeling of fear, apprehension, or anxiety about something that may happen in the future.

Usage Example

"She felt a sudden wave of fear as she opened the envelope containing her exam results."

Strongest
fear
apprehension
trepidation
Strong
foreboding
anxiety
angst
terror
dismay
fright
unease

• verb (Context 2)

To anticipate with great apprehension, fear, or reluctance.

Usage Example

"Many commuters fear driving through the city center during rush hour."

Strongest
fear
Strong
shudder at
cringe at
quail at
shrink from
fright

• noun (Context 3)

A dreadlock, or a hairstyle consisting of ropelike strands of matted or braided hair (usually used in the plural).

Usage Example

"He tied his long dreads back before stepping onto the basketball court."

Strongest
dreadlock
Strong
lock

• adjective (Context 4)

Causing or involving great fear, anxiety, or suffering; dreaded.

Usage Example

"Medical researchers have made significant progress in treating the dreaded disease over the past decade."

Strongest
dreaded
fearsome
Strong
frightful
terrible
dire
awful
horrible

• noun (Context 5)

A person or thing that is an object of great fear or awe.

Usage Example

"Throughout the harsh winter, food scarcity remained the constant terror of the isolated settlement."

Strong
terror
bugbear
bogey
scourge

• adjective (Context 6)

Inspiring profound awe, reverence, or solemn respect (now chiefly archaic or literary).

Usage Example

"The ancient chronicler described the monarch as a awe-inspiring sovereign whose word was absolute law."

Strongest
awe-inspiring
Strong
august
venerable
revered
majestic

Opposites of dread

The opposite of dread shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

look forward to
confidence
welcome
assurance
peace
comforting
comfort
delight
See all opposites of dread

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Dread. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 1, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/dread
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