dread Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
Dread as a Verb
To fear greatly.
To anticipate with fear.
I'm dreading getting the results of the test, as it could decide my whole life.
To be in dread, or great fear.
To style (the hair) into dreadlocks.
Dread as a Noun
Great fear in view of impending evil; fearful apprehension of danger; anticipatory terror.
My visit to the doctor is filling me with dread.
Reverential or respectful fear; awe.
Somebody or something dreaded.
A person highly revered.
Fury; dreadfulness.
A Rastafarian.
Clipping of dreadlock.
Clipping of dreadnought.
The Royal Navy sent six dreads and four BCs to intercept the German raiding force.
(chiefly in the plural) dreadlock
Dread as an Adjective
Terrible; greatly feared; dreaded.
Awe-inspiring; held in fearful awe.
Terrible; greatly feared.
Dread in a Sentence
I'm dreading getting the results of the test, as it could decide my whole life.
My visit to the doctor is filling me with dread.
The Royal Navy sent six dreads and four BCs to intercept the German raiding force.
my visit to the doctor is filling me with dread
Word Forms & Grammar
dread (third-person singular simple present dreads, present participle dreading, simple past and past participle dreaded)
dread (countable and uncountable, plural dreads)
dread (comparative dreader, superlative dreadest)
Words That Rhyme With Dread
Origin of Dread
Origin 1: From Middle English dreden, from Old English drǣdan (“to fear, dread”), aphetic form of ondrǣdan (“to fear, dread”), from Proto-West Germanic *andarādan, equivalent to Old English and- + rǣdan (whence read); corresponding to an aphesis of earlier adread.
Origin 2: Akin to Old Saxon antdrādan, andrādan (“to fear, dread”), Old High German intrātan (“to fear”), Middle High German entrāten (“to fear, dread, frighten”).
Origin 3: From Middle English drede, dred, from the verb (see above). Cognate with Old Frisian drēd, drēde (“fear, dread”).
Origin 4: From Middle English drede, dredde, dradde, ydreddyd (“feared, dreaded, honoured”), past participle of Middle English dreden (“to fear, dread”). See above.
Dread: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, noun, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /dɹɛd/ |
| Meaning | To fear greatly |
| Plural | dreads |
| Comparative / superlative | dreader, dreadest |
| Verb forms | dreads, dreading, dreaded |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dread
Is dread a verb or a noun?
Dread is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun and an adjective.
What is the plural of dread?
The plural of dread is dreads.
What is the past tense of dread?
The past tense of dread is dreaded. The present participle is dreading.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of dread?
The comparative form is dreader and the superlative form is dreadest.