1
: causing or likely to cause fear, fright, or alarm especially because of dangerous quality
a fearful storm
2
a
: full of fear
fearful for his safety
b
: indicating or arising from fear
a fearful glance
c
: inclined to fear : timorous
3
: very great or bad
—used as an intensive
a fearful waste
fearful slum conditions
Synonyms
Examples of fearful in a Sentence
He plays the role of a timid and fearful clerk.
They won the war but at a fearful cost.
Recent Examples on the Web
Many of the condo residents who were evacuated from the complex, on Waldon Road between Joslyn and Baldwin roads, are fearful of returning, Barnett said.
—
Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
This practice can help calm both your body and mind, reducing the chance of spiraling into anxious or fearful thoughts.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
However, the article notes this training will likely be easier for happy chasers because dogs who are angry or fearful bee-chasers have stronger emotions to overcome.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Customer service workers in particular are fearful that AI will replace them: A case in point is tech group Klarna, which is hoping to trim its workforce by 1,800 with the help of AI.
—Alena Botros, Fortune Europe, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fearful 
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Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
This practice can help calm both your body and mind, reducing the chance of spiraling into anxious or fearful thoughts.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
However, the article notes this training will likely be easier for happy chasers because dogs who are angry or fearful bee-chasers have stronger emotions to overcome.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Customer service workers in particular are fearful that AI will replace them: A case in point is tech group Klarna, which is hoping to trim its workforce by 1,800 with the help of AI.
—Alena Botros, Fortune Europe, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fearful
Dictionary Entries Near fearful
Cite this Entry
“Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fearful. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fearful
adjective
fear·ful
ˈfi(ə)r-fəl 
1
: causing fear
the fearful roar of a lion
2
: filled with fear
fearful of danger
3
: showing or caused by fear
a fearful glance
4
: extremely bad, large, or intense
fearful cold
fearfulness
noun
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