adj
Common
feared
feerd
Feared (adj) means Regarded with fear or dread by others. Example: “The feared headmaster could silence a noisy hall just by walking in.”
adj
1
Regarded with fear or dread by others.
"The feared headmaster could silence a noisy hall just by walking in."
"In the old tale, the dragon was a feared creature across the land."
"He was the most feared boxer of his generation."
verb
1
Past tense of fear: was afraid of something, or worried that something might happen.
"I feared that we would miss the last bus home."
"They feared the storm and stayed indoors all evening."
"She feared the worst when he didn't answer his phone."
How to use feared
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "was afraid of" (past tense of fear) or "widely dreaded" (as an adjective).
Common pairings
a feared opponent
it was feared that
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more feared
- Superlative
- most feared
Fill the gap
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The _____ headmaster could silence a noisy hall just by walking in.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English fard, feard, ferd, ferde, fered, formed from fear plus -ed.
Related words
Rhymes for feared
See all rhymes for feared →Frequently asked questions
What does “feared” mean?
The word “feared” means regarded with fear or dread by others. In plain terms, either "was afraid of" (past tense of fear) or "widely dreaded" (as an adjective).
How do you pronounce “feared”?
“Feared” is pronounced feerd (/fɪɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “feared” in a sentence?
Here is “feared” used in a sentence: “He was the most feared boxer of his generation.”
What part of speech is “feared”?
Depending on how it is used, “feared” can be an adjective and a verb.
Is “feared” a common word?
“Feared” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “feared” have?
“Feared” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: regarded with fear or dread by others.
What is the difference between 'feared' and 'frightened'?
'Feared' as an adjective means regarded with fear or dread by others, as in 'a feared opponent'. 'Frightened' means feeling fear oneself. A feared person causes fear, while a frightened person experiences it.
What is the difference between 'feared' and 'afraid'?
'Feared' is the past tense of the verb 'fear' and can also mean dreaded by others. 'Afraid' is an adjective describing how someone feels and is not a verb. You can say 'I feared the worst' but not 'I afraid the worst'.
What is the difference between 'feared' and 'revered'?
'Feared' means regarded with fear or dread, while 'revered' means regarded with deep respect and admiration. Both describe how others view someone, but the feelings are very different. A leader can be feared, revered, or both at once.
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