fear vs. dread

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The words are often treated as rough synonyms, but I have in mind the meaning of dread "to anticipate with alarm, distaste or reluctance," which is a state of mind quite different from fear, and one which, I think, may grow with age, even as "regular" fear diminishes.

― M. V. (M.V.), Monday, 30 October 2006 19:21 (nineteen years ago)

dread = fear + nausea

― the orchid and the wasp (Jody Beth Rosen), Monday, 30 October 2006 19:23 (nineteen years ago)

dread = PARALYZING fear

― Django Blowhardt (Rock Hardy), Monday, 30 October 2006 19:26 (nineteen years ago)

Fear seems to have an elements of uncertainty, whereas dread is usually related to a known outcome, perhaps? Having experienced both this morning, you'd think I'd have a better grasp.

― patita (patita), Monday, 30 October 2006 19:28 (nineteen years ago)

By dread I'm inspired. By fear I'm amused.

― You've Had Your Chances (noodle vague), Monday, 30 October 2006 19:34 (nineteen years ago)

Fear, for me, is accompanied by increased heart rate, sweating, fight-or-flight alertness. Dread, meanwhile, is a horrible nagging aversion in the back of your mind.

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 October 2006 19:36 (nineteen years ago)

Fear, for me, is accompanied by increased heart rate, sweating, fight-or-flight alertness. Dread, meanwhile, is a horrible nagging aversion in the back of your mind.

that seems right to me. also, fear is localized, well-defined, directed toward a specific event/person/whatever. dread is generalized, nebulous, not necessarily targeted at anything. maybe that's just saying the same thing a different way. I'd describe myself as living with dread constantly, for years at a time, whereas if I lived with fear for years at a time, I think I'd lose my mind.

― horseshoe (horseshoe), Monday, 30 October 2006 20:34 (nineteen years ago)

oh, it looks like my meanings for fear and dread are opposite to patita's.

― horseshoe (horseshoe), Monday, 30 October 2006 20:36 (nineteen years ago)

I think there's an element of timeliness, too...? Fear you can feel in a flash, it's inspired by conditions directly at hand. Dread is by definition something approaching, even prolonged. Horrible.

― Laurel (Laurel), Monday, 30 October 2006 20:36 (nineteen years ago)

OED says dread is "Extreme fear; deep awe or reverence; apprehension or anxiety as to future events" also, a fourth meaning I never knew before: "Amongst Rastafarians: dread or fear of the Lord; also, more generally, a deep-rooted sense of alienation felt by Rastafarians towards contemporary society; extreme fear of something menacing or threatening." I had no idea that was the source of "dreadlocks."

OED on fear: "The emotion of pain or uneasiness caused by the sense of impending danger, or by the prospect of some possible evil"

― horseshoe (horseshoe), Monday, 30 October 2006 20:39 (nineteen years ago)

http://home.earthlink.net/~copaceticgallery/JD1.jpeg

http://home.earthlink.net/~copaceticgallery/JD2.jpeg

― chap who would dare to welcome our new stingray masters (chap), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 01:00 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.mastercollector.com/neat/gijoe/orlando/figures/vance-card.jpg

― literalisp (literalisp), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 01:07 (nineteen years ago)

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f399/ghiwh/sda.gif

― hijch (hijch), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 05:24 (nineteen years ago)

fear is usually temporary. dread can last a lifetime. dread isn't far off from depression or anxiety, both which are crippling useless DUDS.

― latebloomer: none of th movies make scence but they r good. (latebloomer), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 09:19 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.mediaspin.com/punks/fear18.jpg http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000000QFU.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

― DJ Mencap (DJ Mencap), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 10:06 (nineteen years ago)

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/a/a2/Fearjohncale.jpg
http://www.conspiracyrecords.com/images/layouts/w/wolfeyes_blb079.jpg

― Ivan G (Ivan), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 15:14 (nineteen years ago)

I think our meanings are compatable, horseshoe. Fear is directed at a particular thing but partially related to an unknown outcome (i.e. "will he or won't he"). Dread is a general thing but it manifests itself in particulars (i.e. everything action is burdened).

or I'm all confused.

― patita (patita), Tuesday, 31 October 2006 15:27 (nineteen years ago)

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