# dread

**Pronunciation:** /drɛd/ · dred

**CEFR level:** B1

**Part of speech:** verb, noun, adjective

## Meaning

To anticipate with great fear or apprehension.

## Examples

- She dreaded the thought of failing the exam.
- He dreaded going to the dentist.
- Many people dread public speaking.

## Synonyms

- fear — A basic feeling of being frightened or worried about danger, pain, or something unpleasant.
- worry — To feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.
- apprehension — Anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
- terror — Extreme fear.

## Antonyms

- eager — Looking forward to something with great interest and excitement.
- anticipate — To expect or predict something, often with a positive or neutral outlook.

## Common patterns

- dread doing something — To fear or be very reluctant to do a particular activity. — She dreaded telling him the bad news.
- dread that — To fear that a particular event or situation will happen. — He dreaded that he might be late for the meeting.

## Collocations

- dread the thought of — I dread the thought of losing my job.
- fill with dread — The silence in the house filled him with dread.
- in dread of — He lived in dread of his boss's criticism.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/dreaded

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