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Synonyms

dreading

American  
[dred-ing] / ˈdrɛd ɪŋ /

verb

  1. the present participle of dread.

Etymology

Origin of dreading

dread + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The couple is among thousands of immigrant parents hiding in their homes in Minneapolis, dreading that federal agents will come knocking.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

In private, in my office, she admitted to avoiding mirrors, skipping photos and dreading social events.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

"I was always worried about if anything happened at home," said Emily, as she often woke up to missed calls from home dreading the "worst case scenario".

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

Each night, she would lie awake dreading the next day.

From Slate • Sep. 15, 2025

I stare at Hideo, suddenly dreading his answer.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.