as in worries
to experience concern or anxiety
her friends feared that she was dating a guy who was all wrong for her
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Recent Examples of fears
The company fears that in an effort to crack down on espionage, the Defense Department might create monitoring capabilities that supersede even the Chinese Communist Party’s, sliding America into an autocratic AI regime.
—
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Paul Casteleiro, John Kogut's former defense attorney, fears that Bilodeau's lawyers will put the blame on the three men who were cleared of the murder two decades ago.
—Mary Murphy, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
In the bigger picture, Microsoft has underperformed its Big Tech peers in the stock market over the last year as investor fears manifest.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
But that is where Chelsea are, and a farcical first 20 minutes realised the worst-case scenario fears.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Rothenberg fears that politicization at the Justice Department is impacting recruitment even in areas that have been traditionally regarded as the most non-political, such as tax litigation.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, the Global Electronics Association fears the FCC’s order and exemption process will slow the arrival and development of Wi-Fi gear.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
But to what end, for whose benefit, or to assuage what fears?
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
But unless you currently are embroiled in the planning or, shudder, the paying for one, its latest theatrical production will, Chris Jones fears, be less than engrossing.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Paul Casteleiro, John Kogut's former defense attorney, fears that Bilodeau's lawyers will put the blame on the three men who were cleared of the murder two decades ago.
—Mary Murphy, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
In the bigger picture, Microsoft has underperformed its Big Tech peers in the stock market over the last year as investor fears manifest.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
But that is where Chelsea are, and a farcical first 20 minutes realised the worst-case scenario fears.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Rothenberg fears that politicization at the Justice Department is impacting recruitment even in areas that have been traditionally regarded as the most non-political, such as tax litigation.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, the Global Electronics Association fears the FCC’s order and exemption process will slow the arrival and development of Wi-Fi gear.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
But to what end, for whose benefit, or to assuage what fears?
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
But unless you currently are embroiled in the planning or, shudder, the paying for one, its latest theatrical production will, Chris Jones fears, be less than engrossing.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fears
worries
Verb
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With irrigation shrinking and solar replacing crops, longtime farmworker Rosa Ramirez worries about disappearing jobs.—
Jeff St. John,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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More than anything, Arca worries about safety in the shelter — but not from the war.—
Theia Chatelle,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fears. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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