The phrase "a widespread fear of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a common or prevalent anxiety or concern shared by a large group of people regarding a specific issue or topic.
Example: "There is a widespread fear of job loss due to automation in many industries."
Alternatives: "a common anxiety about" or "a prevalent concern regarding".
There is a widespread fear of aftershocks.
There is a widespread fear of moving too far, too fast.Emerging Asia's governments are also leery of other quick fixes to boost domestic investment or spur consumption.
The country's swingeing tropical heat and a widespread fear of being mugged or pickpocketed while walking has led to high demand for short-distance taxi rides.
BEIJING — Chinese consumers are responding to a powerful new marketing tactic that plays to a widespread fear of food contamination: the promise of safe groceries sold online.
The last three decades have included a rise in the drinking age to 21; a widespread fear of H.I.V.; and legal challenges that stymied tobacco marketing.
Outside Le Pen's heartlands there is a widespread fear of the party, which many continue to associate with the old tags of demagoguery, xenophobia or racism.
Our correspondent visits Israel and finds a widespread fear and distrust of Iran.
But there seems now to be a widespread fear, in this era of the downloading of singles on the Internet, that the album as a marketable package and artistic statement is slipping away.
They acknowledged a widespread fear that "the benefits of the world economy" are "not reaching everyone, especially in the developing countries".
There's a widespread fear among Christians about the emergence of a third iteration of Islamic extremism — after the rise of an Al Qaeda affiliate, a decade ago, and ISIS, during the past three years.
To him, the matter is both simple and crucial: No one is above the law, he says, and allowing people to hide their identities, even for religious reasons, is a threat to public security, especially at a time of widespread fear of terror attacks.
