Word
dreaded
Phoneticsdread·ed
US/ˈdɹɛdɪd/
UK/dɹˈɛdɪd/
Definitions
01causing fear or worry
adj. making you feel very worried or afraid, especially because you have to do something difficult.
adj. causing great fear, apprehension, or anxiety. Often used attributively before the noun it describes.
“I finally finished the dreaded tax forms after putting them off for weeks.”
“The dreaded announcement of further budget cuts sent a wave of panic through the department staff.”
Synonyms
02having dreadlocks
adj. having hair that is grown in long, thick, rope-like pieces called dreadlocks.
adj. describing a person wearing their hair in dreadlocks. This usage is less common than the standard 'dreadlocked'.
“The dreaded singer walked onto the stage with his guitar.”
“He was easily recognizable in the crowd due to his tall stature and dreaded hair.”
Informal
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“To avoid the dreaded floordrobe and losing your ID card among a pile of books and half-drunk cups of tea, organisation is key.” “The dreaded sweltering hot nights are also set to make a return this week in some places.”