Word
fearing
Phoneticsfear·ing
US/ˈfɪɹɪŋ/
UK/fˈiəɹɪŋ/
Definitions
02feeling or showing fear
adj. showing that you are scared or worried.
adj. exhibiting or feeling fear; often used in compound forms or specific literary contexts to describe a person's state.
“The fearing child hid behind his mother when the dog barked.”
“The fearing citizens huddled in the basement, listening to the sirens echo through the empty streets.”
03showing deep respect
adj. showing a lot of respect or honor to someone powerful, like a god.
adj. showing profound respect, awe, or deference; most commonly encountered in the compound 'God-fearing'.
“He was known as a quiet, God-fearing man who helped his neighbors.”
“The community was composed of God-fearing individuals who adhered strictly to the traditional moral codes of their ancestors.”
Formal · Literary
Teaching tip
In modern English, this sense is almost exclusively used in the phrase 'God-fearing' to describe a religious person.
Synonyms
Antonyms