fear

Noun

• a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
  • the fear of God
    
  • the Chinese reverence for the dead
    
  • the French treat food with gentle reverence
    
  • his respect for the law bordered on veneration
    

• an anxious feeling
  • care had aged him
    
  • they hushed it up out of fear of public reaction
    

• an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

Verb

• regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
  • Fear God as your father
    
  • We venerate genius
    

• be uneasy or apprehensive about
  • I fear the results of the final exams
    

• be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement
  • I fear I won't make it to your wedding party
    

• be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
  • I fear the winters in Moscow
    
  • We should not fear the Communists!
    

• be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
  • I fear she might get aggressive
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  reverence , awe , veneration , concern , care , fearfulness , fright , revere , venerate , dread
• Antonyms: 
  fearlessness , bravery