Synonyms for Fearful
Definition of fearful
adjective
- experiencing or showing fear; "a fearful glance"; "fearful of criticism"
- causing fear or dread or terror; "the awful war"; "an awful risk"; "dire news"; "a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked"; "the dread presence of the headmaster"; "polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was"; "a dreadful storm"; "a fearful howling"; "horrendous explosions shook the city"; "a terrible curse"
- lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted; "cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then"- P.B.Shelley
20 synonyms found
Writing tips for "fearful"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like alarming, awful, bad can replace "fearful" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 20 alternatives available, "fearful" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Fearful" in song lyrics
See how fearful is used in real songs:
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"Mock me fearful"
Aesop Rock f/ Dose One — Drawbridge -
"You get an earful of the fearful"
George Clinton f/ Digital Underground — Rhythm and Rhyme -
"Frigidy, frantic fightin Feds feelin fearful"
DJ KaySlay f/ Papoose — Alphabetical Slaughter