Word: dread (noun, verb)

Associations

"Dread" means a strong feeling of fear or worry about something that might happen.

As a noun:

• I felt a sense of dread before the exam. (Here, dread means fear or anxiety.)
• There was a dread in her eyes when she heard the news. (Dread means a feeling of fear.)

As a verb:

• I dread going to the dentist. (Here, dread means to fear or not want to do something.)
• He dreads the thought of losing his job. (Means he is very worried about it.)

Synonym: fear.
Difference: "Fear" can be general or immediate, while "dread" often means a strong, long-lasting worry about something in the future.

Substitution

Instead of "dread," you can say:

• fear (more general)
• worry (less strong)
• anxiety (more about nervousness)
• apprehension (nervous expectation)

Example:
"I dread the test." → "I fear the test." (similar meaning, but "dread" is stronger)

Deconstruction

The word "dread" comes from Old English "drǣdan," meaning "to fear."
It has no prefix or suffix here, just the root word.
It is both a noun and a verb in modern English.

Inquiry

• What situations make you feel dread?
• How is dread different from simple nervousness?
• Can dread ever be helpful? Why or why not?
• How would you describe dread to a friend who doesn’t understand it?