a palpable fear

USAGE SUMMARY

"a palpable fear" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a fear that can be seen or felt by others. For example, "His body shook with a palpable fear as the intruder entered the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A palpable fear of the contemporary far right underpins the obsessive correction of errors, the challenging of antisemitic stereotypes, and the countering of false representations of history.

The Guardian - Books

There was a palpable fear that the hot-blooded second city was going it alone, that the few thousand protesters were lambs going to slaughter.

The Guardian

Behind the mask of indifference to young women and the jokey and sometimes brutal remarks young men make there is a palpable fear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Especially in Quiché, in the mountainous villages where Mr. Pérez Molina served during the 1980s, when some of the war's worst atrocities were committed, there is a palpable fear of a return to violence.

The New York Times

Although there were bursts of defiance that were forcibly subdued, there was also a palpable fear; on Saturday, unlike on Friday, few opposition voters would let their names be used.

The New York Times

For all the expressions of confidence, there is a palpable fear in Germany that unless the country's leading banks start cutting deals soon, they could end up not as predators, but as prey.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

At one point during the news conference, a reporter asked Reid if he sensed the trepidation of some Eagles fans, an almost palpable fear of investing in a team that takes them to the altar every season, then makes a mad dash out a side exit.

The New York Times - Sports

Thos who had stayed, he went on, were living in a state of palpable fear and were in danger of being manipulated through a "diet of hate speech and paranoia".

The Guardian

"There is a very large, very palpable fear" among House Democrats that if they support the chained CPI, that Republican challengers running against them in 2014 will do attack ads against them and campaign against the Democrat voting to cut senior Social Security benefits.

Huffington Post

For younger Germans, war in Europe is no longer a palpable memory or a tangible fear.

The New York Times

If the educated middle class is uninvolved it is because there is no palpable fear of a "pretty little girl" or "clean-cut little boy" being infected.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a palpable fear" to describe situations where the feeling of fear is not only present but also easily sensed or perceived by those in the vicinity. It is effective in setting a tone of tension or anxiety.

Common error

Avoid using "a palpable fear" in situations that are already obviously frightening or tense. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for moments where the fear is subtle yet pervasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a palpable fear" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of fear that is so intense it can almost be physically felt or perceived by others. This is confirmed by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a palpable fear" is a noun phrase effectively used to depict intense, easily sensed fear. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and formal writing. When considering alternatives, aim for synonyms that capture the same sense of intensity and shared experience. While versatile, avoid overuse in overly dramatic contexts to maintain its impact. This phrase serves as a powerful tool for conveying tension and anxiety in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tangible fear

Substitutes "palpable" with "tangible", indicating a fear that is easily perceived or grasped.

a noticeable fear

Replaces "palpable" with "noticeable", suggesting the fear is easily observed.

a distinct fear

Changes "palpable" to "distinct", emphasizing the clarity and unmistakable nature of the fear.

an obvious fear

Uses "obvious" instead of "palpable", indicating the fear is easily seen or understood.

a clear fear

Replaces "palpable" with "clear", highlighting the lack of ambiguity in the fear.

a pervasive fear

Shifts the focus to how widespread the fear is, rather than how easily it's felt.

a creeping dread

Uses "creeping dread" to evoke a sense of slow-growing unease, differing slightly from the immediate impact of "palpable fear".

an underlying anxiety

Focuses on the anxiety that exists beneath the surface, which may not be immediately obvious.

a gnawing worry

Conveys a persistent and troubling feeling of worry, which might not be as intense as "palpable fear".

a sense of unease

Describes a general feeling of discomfort or anxiety, which is less specific than a defined fear.

FAQs

How can I use "a palpable fear" in a sentence?

You can use "a palpable fear" to describe situations where the fear is easily sensed or felt by those present. For instance, "There was "a palpable fear" in the room as the verdict was read".

What are some alternatives to "a palpable fear"?

Some alternatives include "a tangible fear", "an obvious fear", or "a clear fear", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a palpable fear" or "a strong fear"?

"A palpable fear" suggests that the fear is easily sensed by others, while "a strong fear" simply indicates the intensity of the fear within an individual. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the observable nature of the fear or its intensity.

Can "palpable" be used with other emotions besides fear?

Yes, "palpable" can be used with other emotions or feelings that are easily sensed, such as "palpable excitement" or "palpable tension". It indicates that the emotion is so strong it is almost tangible.