<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) to fear greatly; be in extreme apprehension of:<ul><li>to dread death.</li></ul></li><li>(used with object) to be reluctant to do, meet, or experience:<ul><li>I dread going to big parties.</li></ul></li><li>(archaic) to hold in respectful awe.</li></ul><p><strong>Antonyms</strong></p><ul><li>welcome</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>terror or apprehension as to something in the future; great fear.</li><li>a person or thing dreaded.</li><li>(Informal) dreadlocks.</li><li>(Informal) a person who wears dreadlocks.</li><li>(archaic) deep awe or reverence.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>greatly feared; frightful; terrible.</li></ul><p><strong>Synonyms</strong></p><ul><li>horrible</li><li>dreadful</li><li>dire</li><li>held in awe or reverential fear.</li></ul>