online medical dictionary | definition of fearful

1. Full of fera, apprehension, or alarm; afraid; frightened. "Anxious amidst all their success, and fearful amidat all their power." (Bp. Warburton)

2. Inclined to fear; easily frightened; without courage; timid. "What man is there that is fearful and fain-hearted?" (Deut. Xx. 8)

3. Indicating, or caused by, fear. "Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh." (Shak)

4. Inspiring fear or awe; exciting apprehension or terror; terrible; frightful; dreadful. "This glorious and fearful name, The Lord thy God." (Deut. Xxviii. 58) "Death is a fearful thing." (Shak) "In dreams they fearful precipices tread." (Dryden)

Synonyms: Apprehensive, afraid, timid, timorous, horible, distressing, shoking, frightful, dreadful, awful.

(01 Mar 1998)