overcome by fear

USAGE SUMMARY

"overcome by fear" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is feeling intense fear or anxiety that is affecting their actions or thoughts. Example: As the dark alleyway came into view, Mary felt herself overcome by fear. Her heart raced and her body froze, making it impossible for her to move forward.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The artist, however, recalls being overcome by fear and panic before directing Knightley.

Independent

It is hard to say whether "things have got worse", as we are constantly being reminded by a media and public overcome by fear.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This was a monstrous blow, but we must keep the memory alive, to always have Pasha's face in front of us and his hand in our hands so that we are not overcome by fear and [do] not betray ourselves".

The Guardian

Cold Mountain (153 mins, 15) Directed by Anthony Minghella; starring Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Renée Zellweger In The Red Badge of Courage, the first great novel about the American Civil War, the young hero, Private Fleming, overcome by fear, flees from battle only to return and become a hero, though full of disgust with war.

The Guardian

Yet, so many people forget that, or just don't get that fact, and instead let sense and fact be overcome by fear and a media talking topic because it's a 5 minutes news-filler.

Forbes

In the workplace, people overcome by fear resort to irrational and damaging behavior.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Narrow self-interest might only be overcome by the fear of another crisis.

The Economist

It was not that Ms. Slaughter had been overcome by the fear of flying that had gripped so many Americans, or even that she minded the extra security.

The New York Times

But not long after, she removed Handsome Doctor from the site, suddenly overcome by the fear that he would be besieged by an increasingly interesting pool of candidates as news of the Web site spread.

The New York Times - Style

Someone may be overcome by anger, fear, lust, and other desires, and act against what he believes will bring him more pleasure rather than less.

SEP

Who hasn't been overcome by the fear that their day job is stopping them from doing what they were truly put on this earth to do?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overcome by fear", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It often implies a temporary state of being overwhelmed, suggesting the possibility of resilience and eventual triumph over the fear.

Common error

Avoid confusing "overcome by fear" with active constructions. Ensure the subject is clearly the recipient of the action (being overcome) rather than the agent performing the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overcome by fear" functions primarily as a passive description of a subject's emotional state. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action, being overwhelmed or incapacitated by fear. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overcome by fear" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a state of being overwhelmed by intense fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for describing situations where fear significantly impacts thoughts or actions. While examples are somewhat limited, the phrase appears most commonly in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that "overcome by fear" implies a passive reception of fear. Related phrases, such as ""paralyzed by fear"" and "gripped by terror", offer alternative ways to convey the experience, each with slightly different connotations. Using "overcome by fear" effectively involves considering the specific nuance you wish to convey regarding the intensity and impact of the emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paralyzed by fear

Emphasizes the immobilizing effect of fear.

gripped by terror

Highlights the intensity and suddenness of the fear.

consumed by anxiety

Focuses on the persistent and all-encompassing nature of the anxiety.

dominated by apprehension

Suggests a feeling of control by a looming sense of worry.

filled with dread

Emphasizes a profound and anticipatory fear.

intimidated by the prospect

Highlights the fear stemming from a future event or possibility.

succumbing to fright

Implies a yielding or giving in to fear.

rendered helpless by panic

Stresses the disabling effect of sudden and overwhelming fear.

seized by alarm

Conveys a sudden and intense feeling of fear or shock.

living in constant fear

Focuses on the long-term state of being affected by fear.

FAQs

How can I use "overcome by fear" in a sentence?

You can use "overcome by fear" to describe a situation where someone is feeling intense fear that significantly impacts their actions or thoughts. For example: "Seeing the bear, she was "paralyzed by fear" and couldn't move."

What can I say instead of "overcome by fear"?

You can use alternatives like "gripped by terror", "consumed by anxiety", or "filled with dread" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "overcome with fear" instead of "overcome by fear"?

While "overcome with fear" is also used, "overcome by fear" is more common and generally considered more standard. Both phrases are acceptable, but "overcome by fear" might be preferred in more formal writing.

What's the difference between "overcome by fear" and ""paralyzed by fear""?

"Overcome by fear" suggests a more general state of being overwhelmed, while ""paralyzed by fear"" specifically implies an inability to move or act due to intense fear. The latter is a more specific consequence of the former.