a storm of fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a storm of fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety, often in a dramatic or intense context. Example: "As the news spread, a storm of fear swept through the community, leaving everyone on edge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The office itself was filled with larger-than-life personalities who, in a storm of health fears and misinformation, navigated Americans' collective health knowledge.

Forbes

As the Firestone tire recall gives rise to a national storm of fear and blame, I fall into a funk of deja vu.

The New York Times

Given Dr. Hilleman's obsession with safety and effectiveness, it came as a bitter surprise toward the end of his life when his vaccine was at the center of what Dr. Offit called "a perfect storm of fear".

The New York Times - Health

The GMC case was never about the science behind the controversial Lancet paper, which in February 1998 caused a storm of distress and fear by attempting to establish links between measles vaccine, irritable bowel syndrome in small children and the onset of autism.

The Guardian

Yet again the asylum debate descends into a storm of scaremongering and fear.

BBC

A change to its terms of service ignited a storm of protest, as users feared their photos could be used in advertisements.

Huffington Post

A therapeutic relationship often does more to quell the inner storm of fear and terror than the promise of a new medication.

Huffington Post

But revamping the project has raised a storm of protest from European industrialists they fear the extra costs will force them to move facilities elsewhere.

Forbes

In that storm of fear, nothing good can come.

Huffington Post

A storm of protest erupted.

The New York Times

Westbrook faced a storm of opposition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a storm of fear" to create a vivid image of intense and widespread fear, especially when describing a situation where fear is a dominant force.

Common error

Avoid using "a storm of fear" in everyday situations where the level of fear is not truly overwhelming. Overusing it can diminish its impact and sound melodramatic. Consider weaker alternatives like "some fear" or "a sense of unease" in less intense scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a storm of fear" functions as a noun phrase. It serves to describe an intense and overwhelming feeling or atmosphere of fear. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a storm of fear" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an intense and overwhelming feeling of fear. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. It's most commonly found in neutral registers, like news and media, aiming to evoke a strong emotional response by highlighting the magnitude of fear. While the phrase is absent in Ludwig's example sentences, related phrases such as "a wave of terror" or "a surge of anxiety" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Be mindful of the context and avoid overusing "a storm of fear" in mundane situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tempest of anxiety

Uses "tempest" instead of "storm" and "anxiety" in place of "fear", creating a more dramatic and turbulent image.

a wave of terror

Replaces "storm" with "wave" and "fear" with "terror", suggesting a sudden and intense onset of terror.

a whirlwind of panic

Replaces "storm" with "whirlwind" and "fear" with "panic", indicating a chaotic and rapidly spreading panic.

a maelstrom of terror

Replaces "storm" with "maelstrom" and "fear" with "terror", implying a swirling and chaotic vortex of terror.

a surge of anxiety

Substitutes "storm" with "surge" and "fear" with "anxiety", highlighting the sudden increase in anxiety levels.

an outbreak of panic

Replaces "storm" with "outbreak" and "fear" with "panic", implying a widespread and sudden eruption of panic.

a flood of unease

Replaces "storm" with "flood" and "fear" with "unease", highlighting the pervasive and unsettling nature of unease.

a tide of apprehension

Uses "tide" instead of "storm" and "apprehension" instead of "fear", conveying a gradual but relentless increase in worry.

an avalanche of worry

Substitutes "storm" with "avalanche" and "fear" with "worry", conveying an overwhelming and unstoppable accumulation of worry.

a torrent of dread

Replaces "storm" with "torrent" and "fear" with "dread", emphasizing the overwhelming and forceful nature of dread.

FAQs

How can I use "a storm of fear" in a sentence?

You can use "a storm of fear" to describe a situation where fear is intense, widespread and overwhelming. For example: "As the rumors spread, a storm of fear swept through the community."

What can I say instead of "a storm of fear"?

You can use alternatives like "a wave of terror", "a surge of anxiety", or "an outbreak of panic depending on the context.

What is the difference between "a storm of fear" and "a sense of unease"?

"A storm of fear" suggests a powerful, overwhelming, and often sudden experience of fear, while "a sense of unease" implies a milder, more subtle feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

When is it appropriate to use "a storm of fear" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "a storm of fear" when you want to emphasize the intensity and pervasiveness of fear in a dramatic or serious situation. It is less suitable for casual or lighthearted contexts.