looming fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looming fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an impending sense of dread or anxiety about a future event. Example: "As the deadline approached, a looming fear of failure began to consume her thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Bankruptcy, always a looming fear, is claiming fresh victims.

The Economist

What this ultimately says is that you were dreading, or had a looming fear of, seeing your friends.

Independent

That in itself is enough to foster a looming fear of men losing their grip on society.

Independent

Even during successful years, there's a looming fear that it is all going to come crashing down".

The New Yorker

The assembled group of about 700 protesters (down from 2,000 to 3,000 because of the looming fear of arrest) was entirely peaceful, well-dressed, and respectful.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I always have this looming fear the doctor is going to pull the scan results up on the computer, to show me an image of me riddled with the stuff," he told me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But the part that is a portrait of the small comforts and looming fears of old age is moving.

The New York Times - Books

The "big three" US automakers are back in Washington today, amid looming fears of bankruptcy, making another pitch for a bailout from Congress.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Change comes in times of need, for political and military reasons, and finally out of the looming fears that America's role as superpower will manifest itself as it has done after Sept. 11," Mr. Naumann said.

The New York Times

Once she reconnected with these principles, then the looming fears eventually subsided.

Huffington Post

Were we paying enough attention to the long-gathering backlash against globalization, or to the looming fears that technology will eat up millions of jobs?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looming fear" to create a sense of suspense or anticipation in your writing. It effectively conveys the feeling of an impending negative event or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "looming fear" in informal or casual settings, where simpler expressions like "worry" or "concern" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looming fear" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "looming" modifies the noun "fear". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, highlighting its role in describing an impending sense of dread or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looming fear" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that effectively conveys an impending sense of dread or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in news and media sources. When employing this phrase, writers should be mindful of the specific nuance they aim to impart, considering alternatives like "impending dread" or "gathering apprehension" to achieve the desired effect. While "looming fear" is generally versatile, it should be used judiciously in casual settings where simpler terms may suffice. By adhering to these guidelines, writers can leverage the power of "looming fear" to create compelling and impactful narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impending dread

Replaces "fear" with a stronger term, "dread", emphasizing the severity of the feeling.

approaching anxiety

Substitutes "looming" with "approaching", highlighting the near arrival of the anxiety.

gathering apprehension

Replaces "looming fear" with a phrase that suggests a gradual increase in worry.

growing unease

Emphasizes the escalating nature of discomfort or anxiety, similar to "looming fear".

oncoming dread

Uses "oncoming" to highlight the inevitability of the dreaded event, akin to "looming fear".

threatened panic

Focuses on the potential for panic as a result of the looming situation.

shadow of anxiety

Creates a more metaphorical image of anxiety affecting one's perception.

overhanging dread

Emphasizes the sense of dread being suspended or imminent.

imminent trepidation

Uses the formal term "trepidation" to convey a sense of fear and anxiety about what might happen.

nagging worry

Describes a persistent and bothersome feeling of concern.

FAQs

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

The phrase "looming fear" describes an approaching or impending sense of dread. For example, you might say: "A "looming fear" of failure kept her awake at night."

What phrases are similar to "looming fear"?

Alternatives to "looming fear" include "impending dread", "approaching anxiety", or "gathering apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "looming fear" a formal or informal expression?

"Looming fear" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but is more frequently encountered in news reports, articles, and literature. It can add a dramatic or serious tone.

What's the difference between "looming fear" and "general anxiety"?

"Looming fear" refers to a specific, impending fear, whereas "general anxiety" is a more diffuse and persistent feeling of worry or unease not necessarily tied to a specific event.