fearful

Main Entry:: fear·ful
Pronunciation:: \ˈfir-fəl\
Function:: adjective
Date:: 14th century

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 : timorous3: very great or bad —used as an intensive <a fearful waste><fearful slum conditions>

— fear·ful·ly

\-f(ə-)lē\ adverb

— fear·ful·ness

\-fəl-nəs\ noun

synonyms fearful , apprehensive , afraid mean disturbed by fear. fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament <the child is fearful of loud noises>. apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger <apprehensive of being found out>. afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance <afraid to speak the truth>.

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