fearfulness
State of alarm
Fearfulness is the state of being full of fear—a disposition toward anxiety, timidity, or apprehension.
It describes both a temporary condition and a lasting temperament: The fearfulness in her eyes was unmistakable.
Someone characterized by fearfulness startles easily, avoids risks, and anticipates danger.
The word emphasizes the quality as pervasive rather than directed at any particular threat.
Tendency toward social timidity
- meeknessGentle, unassertive disposition
- bashfulnessTimid self-consciousness
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- reticenceHabitual verbal restraint
diffidence · timorousness · faintheartedness · cowardice · mousy · skittishness · inhibition · self-doubt
State of anxious unease
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- jittersNervous agitation
restlessness · tension · stress · agitation · angst · edginess · worry · disquiet
Extreme fear or disgust
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- frightSudden intense fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
shock · petrification · paralysis · hysteria · nightmares · screaming · trembling · cold sweat
Cautious distrust
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- guardednessDefensive emotional reserve
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- watchfulnessCareful, sustained attention
alertness · suspicion · distrust · hesitancy · reluctance · carefulness · prudence · second-guessing
shyness
Tendency toward social timidity
- meeknessGentle, unassertive disposition
- bashfulnessTimid self-consciousness
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
reticence · diffidence · timorousness · faintheartedness · cowardice · mousy · skittishness · inhibition · self-doubt · withdrawal
nervousness
State of anxious unease
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
jitters · restlessness · tension · stress · agitation · angst · edginess · worry · disquiet · uneasiness
horror
Extreme fear or disgust
dread · shock · petrification · paralysis · hysteria · nightmares · screaming · trembling · cold sweat · freeze response
wariness
Cautious distrust
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- guardednessDefensive emotional reserve
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
watchfulness · alertness · suspicion · distrust · hesitancy · reluctance · carefulness · prudence · second-guessing
- Temperamentadaptability, intensity, persistence, distractibility, mood regulation
- Anxietyanxiety, nervousness, panic, worry, generalized anxiety
- anxietiesworry, angst, nervousness, dread, apprehension
- personality traitsextraversion, agreeableness, introvert, neuroticism, temperament
- pet problemsaggression, barking, biting, chewing, digging
- traitshonesty, ambitious, brave, calm, kindness
fearfulnessfearlessness
Complete lack of dread
courage · bravery · intrepidity · dauntlessness · valor
fearfulnessboldness
Fearless readiness to act
daring · audacity · nerve · guts · confidence
fearfulnessself-confidence
Faith in one's capabilities
self-assurance · confidence · assurance · aplomb · composure
fear, fearful, fearless, feared, fearsome, fearfully, fearing, fearlessness, fearlessly