fearful fearful /ˈfɪrfəl/

adjective

1. () Experiencing or showing fear  ( fearful )
   experiencing or showing fear
    A fearful glance
   a fearful glance
    Fearful of criticism
   fearful of criticism
   
2. () Causing fear, dread or terror  ( dire , direful , dread , awful , dreaded , fearful , fearsome , horrendous , horrific , dreadful , frightening , terrible )
   causing fear, dread or terror
    The awful war
   the awful war
    An awful risk
   an awful risk
    Dire news
   dire news
    A career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked
   a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked
    The dread presence of the headmaster
   the dread presence of the headmaster
    Polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was
   polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was
    A dreadful storm
   a dreadful storm
    A fearful howling
   a fearful howling
    Horrendous explosions shook the city
   horrendous explosions shook the city
    A terrible curse
   a terrible curse
   
3. Timid by nature or revealing timidity  ( fearful , timorous , trepid )
   timid by nature or revealing timidity
    Timorous little mouse
   timorous little mouse
    In a timorous tone
   in a timorous tone
    Cast fearful glances at the large dog
   cast fearful glances at the large dog
   
4. Lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted  ( fearful , cowardly )
   lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted
    Cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then
   cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then
   
5. Extremely distressing  ( fearful , frightful )
   extremely distressing
    Fearful slum conditions
   fearful slum conditions
    A frightful mistake
   a frightful mistake