mindmap root((害怕)) fear often the most general term, implies anxiety and loss of courage: ~ of the unknown. dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety: the ~ of having to face her mother. fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear: imagine our ~ at being awakened by screams. alarm suggests a sudden and intense apprehension produced by newly perceived awareness of immediate danger: view the situation with ~. panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical, disordered, and useless activity: news of the invasion caused great ~. terror implies the most extreme degree of consternation or fear: immobilized with ~. horror adds the implication of shuddering abhorrence or aversion before a sight, activity, or demand that causes fear: harbored a secret ~ of dark, close places. trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation: raised the subject of marriage with some ~.