fearful
Trembling with dread
Fearful means full of fear or causing fear.
A fearful child is afraid; a fearful storm is one that inspires dread.
The word can also mean timid by disposition: She was too fearful to speak up.
In informal use, fearful intensifies: a fearful mess, a fearful racket—suggesting something extreme or impressive, though this usage is now somewhat old-fashioned.
Feeling fear or alarm
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
- terrifiedExtremely frightened
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- petrifiedSolidified or fear-paralyzed
panicky · shaken · trembling · spooked · startled · alarmed · horrified · aghast
Reserved and retiring
- meekHumbly unassertive
- mousyShy and unassertive
- timorousShowing nervous apprehension
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
bashful · skittish · hesitant · shrinking · retiring · unassertive · fainthearted · sheepish
Troubled by uncertainty
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- uneasyTroubled, not calm
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- jitteryAnxiously restless
edgy · tense · fretful · restless · unsettled · agitated · on-edge · stressed
Fearful anticipation of harm
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
chilling · haunting · eerie · creepy · spine-tingling · hair-raising · bloodcurdling · nightmarish
Filled with reverent wonder
- reverentialShowing deep respect
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
- respectfulShowing proper regard
worshipful · pious · devout · submissive · overawed · intimidated · cowed · daunted
Guardedly alert
- guardedWary and restrained
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- vigilantKeenly aware of danger
- carefulExercising caution and attention
chary · leery · suspicious · distrustful · watchful · cagey · tentative · gingerly
scared
Feeling fear or alarm
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
- terrifiedExtremely frightened
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
petrified · panicky · shaken · trembling · spooked · startled · alarmed · horrified · aghast · unnerved
shy
Reserved and retiring
diffident · bashful · skittish · hesitant · shrinking · retiring · unassertive · fainthearted · sheepish · spineless
worried
Troubled by uncertainty
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- uneasyTroubled, not calm
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
jittery · edgy · tense · fretful · restless · unsettled · agitated · on-edge · stressed · overwrought
foreboding
Fearful anticipation of harm
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
threatening · chilling · haunting · eerie · creepy · spine-tingling · hair-raising · bloodcurdling · nightmarish · macabre
awed
Filled with reverent wonder
- reverentialShowing deep respect
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
respectful · worshipful · pious · devout · submissive · overawed · intimidated · cowed · daunted
wary
Guardedly alert
- guardedWary and restrained
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
- vigilantKeenly aware of danger
careful · chary · leery · suspicious · distrustful · watchful · cagey · tentative · gingerly · risk-averse
- cowardicecoward, cowardly, craven, gutless, spineless
- scary feelingsterrified, frightening, dreadful, creepiness, goosebumps
- moodshappy, sad, angry, anxious, excited
- behavior statesalert, anxious, calm, confused, depressed
- Emojissmile, smiley face, grin, heart emoji, grinning
- attachment stylessecure, anxious, avoidant, disorganized, ambivalent
fearfulfearless
Lacking any apprehension
brave · unafraid · courageous · daring · bold
fearfulreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
comforting · calming · soothing · nonthreatening · consoling