fear gripped

USAGE SUMMARY

"fear gripped" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a feeling of fear or anxiety taking hold of someone or a situation. For example, "Fear gripped the small town as news of the impending hurricane spread."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Great fear gripped each of us in Manus prison.

The Guardian

When the teams began lining out, a bit of fear gripped me.

The Guardian

When fear gripped the European markets in April, the money manager Robert Tipp decided to buy more Portuguese government bonds.

The New York Times

Fear gripped the capital as residents hoarded cash from banks and thousands packed into cars and taxis to flee.

The New York Times

The woman is full of fear, gripped by a secret terror that she only shares with the man she loves.

The Guardian - Opinion

We must stop this cult business once and for all!" We got back into the car, and a new fear gripped us all.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Fear grips the still healthy siblings.

The New York Times

Their retail enthusiasm contrasts with the fear gripping those looking a little way ahead.

The Economist

"There is a lot of fear, an absolute fear, gripping the community.. . .

The Washington Post

The same fear grips many economists and policymakers in the United States.

The New York Times

Increases in the supply of money simply add to idle balances as fear grips the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fear gripped" to create a sense of immediate and powerful fear affecting individuals or groups, particularly in narrative or descriptive contexts.

Common error

While effective in journalistic and narrative contexts, avoid overusing "fear gripped" in formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or analytical description of anxiety or concern might be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"Fear gripped" functions as a vivid descriptive phrase. It vividly portrays the onset and intensity of fear. Ludwig AI examples show it effectively captures a specific moment or period dominated by fear, as in "Fear gripped the capital as residents hoarded cash from banks".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fear gripped" is a versatile and widely used phrase that vividly describes the sudden and intense onset of fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news, media, and narrative contexts. While it may not be ideal for formal or academic writing where nuanced analysis is required, its strength lies in its ability to create a sense of immediacy and tension. Related phrases, such as "terror seized" or "panic overwhelmed", offer alternative ways to express similar sentiments with varying degrees of intensity. When writing, remember to use "fear gripped" to add drama and emotion while being mindful of its appropriateness in different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terror seized

Replaces "fear" with "terror", intensifying the feeling, and "gripped" with "seized", emphasizing a sudden and forceful onset.

fear consumed

Focuses on the consuming nature of fear, suggesting a complete loss of control.

horror took over

Replaces "fear" with "horror", suggesting a more extreme and intense emotion.

panic overwhelmed

Shifts the focus to "panic" and uses "overwhelmed" to highlight the feeling of being completely consumed by it.

a wave of fear washed over

Uses a more descriptive and figurative language to describe the sudden onset of fear.

anxiety took hold

Substitutes "fear" with "anxiety", softening the intensity, and "gripped" with "took hold", suggesting a gradual establishment of the feeling.

fear paralyzed

Emphasizes the immobilizing effect of fear, highlighting its power to hinder action.

dread pervaded

Replaces "fear" with "dread", implying a sense of impending doom, and uses "pervaded" to suggest a widespread and encompassing feeling.

apprehension filled

Substitutes "fear" with "apprehension", conveying a mild sense of worry, and "gripped" with "filled", emphasizing a complete occupation of the mind.

a sense of unease prevailed

Substitutes "fear" with "unease", softening the emotion, and "gripped" with "prevailed", suggesting a dominant feeling.

FAQs

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

You can use "fear gripped" to describe a situation where a sudden and intense feeling of fear takes hold of someone or a group. For example, "Fear gripped the city as the storm approached".

What's a more formal alternative to "fear gripped"?

While "fear gripped" is suitable for many contexts, you might consider more formal alternatives like "anxiety pervaded" or "apprehension increased" in academic or professional settings.

Is "fear gripped" the same as "fear took hold"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "fear took hold" might suggest a more gradual or insidious onset of fear, while "fear gripped" implies a more immediate and forceful experience.

What are some synonyms for "gripped" in the context of "fear gripped"?

Synonyms for "gripped" in this context include "seized", "overwhelmed", and "consumed". You could say "fear seized" or "fear overwhelmed" to convey a similar meaning.