26984 words

dread

8 definitions • 11 examples
1
to feel extremely worried or frightened about something that is going to happen or that might happen:

Examples:

He's dreading the exam - he's sure he's going to fail.
[ + -ing verb ] I'm dreading having to meet his parents.
2
used to say that you do not want to think about something because it is too worrying:

Examples:

I dread to think what would happen if he was left to cope on his own.
3
a strong feeling of fear or worry:

Examples:

fill someone with dread The prospect of working full-time fills me with dread.
A feeling of dread crept over me as I approached the door.
4
to be worried that something will happen that you really do not want to happen:

Examples:

I live in dread of bumping into her in the street.
5
short for

Examples:

They wore their hair in dreads.
6
causing fear or worry:

Examples:

The dread spectre of civil war looms over the country.
Every business person fears the dread moment when the laptop fails as they stand up to give a presentation.
7
used to refer to something that you do not like or want:

Examples:

Conversation returned to that dread word, fashion.
8
extreme fear or anxiety about something that is going to happen or might happen:

Examples:

a dread of drowning

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