a mounting dread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mounting dread" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increasing feeling of fear or anxiety over time. Example: "As the storm approached, I felt a mounting dread about what might happen next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He recalled feeling a mounting dread as the boulders rolled in.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In a fittingly dramatic denouement to a political saga that a former minister likened to a tragicomedy and an MP said was more like a farce, Italy's government crisis – a week of mounting dread and trembling markets that had risked scuppering the grand coalition and plunging the eurozone heavyweight into turmoil – was over, just like that.

The Guardian

Yet as I embark upon 'The Complete First Series', I realise with a sense of mounting dread that I've heard so many people doing terrible impressions of these scenes that I can't shake off the sense of deja vu.

The Guardian - Film

Kaufman expertly created an atmosphere of mounting dread, and the cast which included Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy, and Jeff Goldblum was notable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It looks a bit everything-but-the-kitchen-sink on paper, but in reality it doesn't feel cluttered at all: furthermore, it carries the listener along with it as it conjures up an atmosphere of mounting dread.

The Guardian - Music

Applying the techniques he had developed in Klute and The Parallax View to create an atmosphere of mounting dread (those films and this one are often characterized as Pakulas's "paranoia" trilogy), Pakula came up with a peerless real-life political thriller.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A breath of hope amid the mounting dread?

The Guardian - Travel

Virility only gets more contradictory and complicated with time and, reading through "A History of Virility," one looks with mounting dread toward each new historical epoch.

The New Yorker

The fusillade received a mixed response in the South, where leaders awaited the Freedom Train with mounting dread.

The New Yorker

Stillness and mounting dread are its stock in trade.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In that period of mounting dread, there were polite phone calls between heads of state and orderly airport closings.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mounting dread" to effectively build suspense and create a sense of unease in your writing. It vividly portrays the gradual intensification of fear or apprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "a mounting dread" when a situation simply involves mild discomfort or inconvenience. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios involving significant fear, anxiety, or foreboding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mounting dread" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an escalating feeling of fear or apprehension. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and effectively portrays a gradual increase in anxiety.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mounting dread" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an increasing feeling of fear or apprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is effective in building suspense and setting a tone of unease. While not overly common, the phrase appears across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, reserve it for situations involving genuine fear or anxiety to avoid sounding melodramatic. Consider alternatives like "growing anxiety" or "increasing apprehension" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing apprehension

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of unease, suggesting a growing understanding of potential danger.

growing anxiety

Emphasizes the emotional aspect, highlighting the escalating worry and nervousness.

rising fear

Directly indicates an increase in fear, a basic emotional response to perceived threat.

escalating terror

Conveys a heightened sense of fear, suggesting a more intense and overwhelming experience.

intensifying unease

Highlights a gradually increasing feeling of discomfort and disquiet.

burgeoning dread

Uses 'burgeoning' to suggest a more active and forceful growth of the feeling of dread.

accumulating fear

Focuses on the idea that fear is gathering or piling up over time.

heightening sense of foreboding

Highlights the predictive element, suggesting a growing feeling that something bad will happen.

developing sense of doom

Conveys a feeling that the final, negative outcome is already determined and approaching.

gathering darkness

Metaphorically suggests an increasing sense of impending negativity and despair.

FAQs

How can I use "a mounting dread" in a sentence?

You can use "a mounting dread" to describe an increasing feeling of fear or anxiety. For example, "As the deadline approached, a mounting dread filled the team members."

What are some alternatives to "a mounting dread"?

Alternatives include "increasing apprehension", "growing anxiety", or "rising fear". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a mounting dread"?

While grammatically correct, "a mounting dread" should be used when the situation warrants a strong feeling of fear or unease. Using it in less serious contexts can sound melodramatic.

What's the difference between "a mounting dread" and "a sudden dread"?

"A mounting dread" describes a feeling that increases gradually over time, whereas "a sudden dread" implies an immediate and unexpected onset of fear.