List of 426 Sets of Synonyms - How they Differ - Total of 2307 Words - 163

SYNONYMS: fear, fright, dread, terror, horror, panic, alarm, dismay, consternation, trepidation.
These nouns all denote the agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger.

Fear is the most general term: fear of change; fear of flying; fear of death. Fear is the parent of cruelty
Fright is sudden, usually momentary fear characterized by great agitation: In her fright she forgot to lock the door.
Dread is strong fear of something impending, especially of what one is powerless to avoid: He looked with dread to the scheduled surgery.
Terror is intense, overpowering fear: The weapon which most readily conquers reason: terror and violence.
Horror is a combination of fear and aversion or repugnance: Murder arouses widespread horror.
Panic is sudden frantic fear, often groundless: The fire caused a panic among the horses. Rumors of the President's illness resulted in panic on the world stock markets.
Alarm is fright aroused by the first realization of danger: I watched with alarm as the current carried the raft and its passengers toward the dam.
Dismay is apprehension that robs one of courage or the power to act effectively: A comet caused universal dismay in the ancient world.
Consternation is a state of often paralyzing dismay characterized by confusion and helplessness: Consternation spread in the city as the enemy army approached.
Trepidation is dread characteristically marked by trembling or hesitancy: We're full of trepidation about things that were never likely to happen.

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