Dreading Meaning and Definition
Dreading
Pronunciation
/ˈdriŋɪŋ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A feeling of anxious anticipation or apprehension about something unpleasant or daunting; a sense of impending doom or disaster.
Examples
- The thought of public speaking filled me with dread, but I knew I had to face my fears.
- The approaching deadline was nothing but a source of dreading for me.
Synonyms
- Fear
- Apprehension
- Anxiety
Antonyms
- Relief
- Calm
- Serenity
Etymology
The word “Dreading” originated from Old English “dringan”, meaning “to dread” or “to fear”, and is related to the Proto-Germanic root “thringiz”, meaning “to tremble”.
Usage Notes
Use “Dreading” to describe a situation that evokes a strong feeling of fear, anxiety, or apprehension. It can also be used to describe a feeling of foreboding or ominousness.
Cultural References
The word “Dreading” has been used in various forms of media, including literature, film, and music.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Phrases such as “dreading the worst”, “dreading the unknown”, and “dreading the inevitable” are common idiomatic expressions that use the word “Dreading”.
Related Words or Phrases
Words and phrases related to “Dreading” include “fear”, “apprehension”, “anxiety”, “foreboding”, and “ominous”.
Collocations
Common collocations with “Dreading” include “dreading the worst”, “dreading the unknown”, “dreading the inevitable”, and “dreading the thought”.
Frequency of Use
The word “Dreading” is less frequently used than other emotions such as “fear” and “anxiety”, but is still a commonly used term in everyday language.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “Dreading” include “Dredding”, “Drading”, and “Drainding”.