escalating fear

USAGE SUMMARY

"escalating fear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where fear is increasing or intensifying, particularly in response to a new development or situation. For example, "The increasing number of COVID-19 cases is causing escalating fear among citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Billy melts down, but he melts slowly, his panic leaking through the cracks opened up by his escalating fear.

The New York Times

Even before Ms Estemirova's murder, Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, a colleague, talked of escalating fear in the region and pressure on human-rights activists.

The Economist

The French laws suggest an escalating fear of any expression of the Islamic faith coming after a Muslim truck driver killed eighty-six people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice.

The New Yorker

"Why do women have to be punished for wearing something that represents freedom, and health, fitness and enjoyment?" The French laws suggest an escalating fear of any expression of the Islamic faith coming after a Muslim truck driver killed eighty-six people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice.

The New Yorker

This means tenants could warn, repeatedly and with escalating fear, that the building they lived in was a death trap; it meant they felt harassed and intimidated by the landlord and subcontractors during the recent renovation; and it meant, ultimately, that they would be the victims of possibly criminal levels of neglect.

The Guardian - Opinion

The brutal, raging Ben demands respect from Tim but succeeds only in instilling in his son an escalating fear mixed dangerously with defiance.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The financial sector is frozen, the economy is slowing and the housing market is plagued by the triple whammy of rising foreclosures, a paralyzed securitization market and escalating fears about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which own or guarantee about $5 trillion in mortgages.

The New York Times

With the exception of Visa's highly anticipated offering, the public offering market has ground to a near halt this year because of tighter credit markets and escalating fears about a possible recession in the United States.

The New York Times

The rouble suffered its biggest one-day decline since 1998 as oil prices continued to fall on Monday, escalating fears about the Russian economy.

BBC

A stronger yen also hangs over Honda, while surging raw materials prices and escalating fears over the health of the global economy weigh on the overall industry.

Huffington Post

What is needed in an Ebola Czar is not only coordination, but also someone who can help calm the significant and escalating fears of the American public.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "escalating fear" when you want to emphasize the progressive increase in fear over time, often in response to a specific threat or situation. For instance, "The news of the impending storm caused an escalating fear among the coastal residents".

Common error

Avoid using multiple adjectives to describe fear. Phrases like "rapidly escalating fear" or "quickly intensifying fear" can be redundant. Choose "escalating fear" to convey the increasing nature of the emotion directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "escalating fear" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "escalating" modifies the noun "fear". It is used to describe a situation where the intensity or degree of fear is increasing. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in expressing a growing sense of apprehension.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Opinion

20%

Books

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "escalating fear" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively describes a growing or intensifying sense of fear. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates its usage is most prevalent in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight increasing anxiety related to specific events or situations. While not as frequent as some other phrases, its versatility allows for use in both formal and informal writing. When using "escalating fear", it's important to avoid redundancy by not adding additional intensifying adjectives. Alternatives like "mounting anxiety" or "growing apprehension" can offer similar nuances. Overall, it provides a concise and effective way to convey the increasing nature of fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mounting anxiety

Focuses on the growing sense of unease and worry.

growing apprehension

Emphasizes the increasing feeling of something unpleasant is about to happen.

intensifying dread

Highlights the deepening feeling of intense fear or aversion.

surging panic

Indicates a sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear.

heightening alarm

Stresses the increasing sense of danger or urgency.

amplifying terror

Conveys the increasing intensity of extreme fear.

worsening fright

Highlights the deteriorating state of being scared.

building trepidation

Emphasizes the gradual accumulation of fear or anxiety.

intensified worry

Focuses on the enhanced state of concern and anxiety.

escalating concern

Highlights the increasing level of worry.

FAQs

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

You can use "escalating fear" to describe situations where fear is growing or intensifying. For example, "The "escalating violence" in the region led to widespread fear among the population."

What are some alternatives to "escalating fear"?

Some alternatives include "mounting anxiety", "growing apprehension", or "intensifying dread", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is "escalating fear" formal or informal?

The phrase "escalating fear" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various writing styles. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone than the phrase itself.

What causes "escalating fear"?

Escalating fear typically arises from a perceived threat or danger that is increasing in intensity or likelihood. This could be due to "escalating violence", economic uncertainty, or health crises.