Are you writing a character in your novel who is extremely fearful? Scroll down to learn how to describe fear in a story.
1. Intense
Definition
Something that’s extreme in degree or strength.
Examples
“She was shaking with intense fear as she approached the edge of the diving board.”
“The man yelled for help as the tsunami wave towered over him. The fear he felt as the wave crashed was more intense than the impact of the sea itself.”
How it Adds Description
You can show extreme fear through the adjective “intense,” as this word makes it clear that the character is scared to a heightened degree. This is a good way to show your audience that the situation is petrifying for the character, and it could foreshadow potential psychological effects in the future due to the intensity of the event.
2. Endless
Definition
Something that lasts for a long time or feels like it won’t stop.
Examples
“An endless fear settled upon the classroom as the students listened to the howling wind outside.”
“The detective had been suffering from endless fear since he deciphered who the killer was. But he didn’t let his emotions show.”
How it Adds Description
“Endless” signifies that the character’s fear is either constant or feels like it will never end. This might leave them feeling hopeless as if they’ll be plagued by horror for the remainder of their lives. “Endless” fear could even result in depression or the character isolating themself from society in order to feel safer.
3. Brief
Definition
Something that only lasts for a short amount of time.
Examples
“The sudden loud noise sent a brief jolt of fear down the young boy’s spine.”
“As she entered the old mansion, she had a brief moment of fear. But she shook it off and continued walking.”
How it Adds Description
The word “brief” shows that the character’s fear is short-lived and not something they’re constantly worried about. This could imply that they’re not too scared of the events or person, or they could be very good at compartmentalizing their worries.
4. Exhausting
Definition
Something that causes weariness and fatigue.
Examples
“Anna has been living in fear of the campfire story for over a week now. It was exhausting for her nerves.”
“He was constantly on the lookout for opponents, and the exhausting fear was taking a toll on him.”
How it Adds Description
If a character is very scared for a long time, it will likely become “exhausting.” This is because constant psychological stress can take a toll on both their mental and physical health. Characters that are “exhausted” by fear will be less likely to think straight and may rely on others for assistance.
5. Uneasy
Definition
The feeling of being embarrassed, anxious, or afraid because you think something is wrong.
Examples
“The boy felt an uneasy fear each time he walked into the abandoned cellar.”
“She had been scared for the whole journey, but she felt even more uneasy when the sun went down.”
How it Adds Description
If you want to show a character feels more anxious or nervous rather than petrified, “uneasy” is the word for you. This word shows the character has realized that something isn’t right, and this might cause physical anxiety symptoms. They might also be keen to leave the situation or place to avoid the danger their intuition is picking up on.
6. Terrifying
Definition
Something that makes you extremely frightened.
Examples
“The sight of the demon was terrifying, and the boy froze with fear when he saw it.”
“As she crept through the underground tunnels, she tussled with a terrifying fear of the dark.”
How it Adds Description
“Terrifying” shows that a character’s fear is more intense than usual, to the extent that they might want to turn around and leave the situation. However, braver characters might swallow their fear and continue despite the “terrifying” feelings.
7. Urgent
Definition
Something that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.
Examples
“Seeing the zombies rise from the dead filled the gang with urgent fear. It was time to leave ASAP.”
“The fear in her eyes was urgent, and he knew they needed to fight or flee.”
How it Adds Description
Sometimes fear causes a fight or flight reflex, and “urgent” can show that your characters are experiencing this. “Urgent” shows that they need to react to the scary stimuli right now, and this is either through fighting or by escaping. “Urgent” can also increase the pressure in a fictional situation, making it a suspenseful read.
8. Insignificant
Definition
Something that’s unimportant or very small.
Examples
“After seeing the ancient monster, her usual fears seemed insignificant.”
“To the witch, human worries and fears were insignificant. She was above such trivial things.”
How it Adds Description
You can show that a character’s worries aren’t important via “insignificant.” This could signal that the character worries about a lot of small things, or it could show that their fears now pale in comparison to the new danger.
9. Latent
Definition
Something that’s hidden in the moment but may become more obvious in the future.
Examples
“The encounter with the ghost had stirred up a latent fear within the little girl.”
“Though the knight looked confident, behind his armor lay a latent fear of death.”
How it Adds Description
The adjective “latent” is used to describe things that exist but have not yet developed or become obvious to the characters. This can show characters have a dormant fear that’s only just starting or will take over in the future. Using “latent” is a great way to foreshadow future events or character emotions.
10. Irrational
Definition
Something that’s not based on logic.
Examples
“The class trip to the circus was continually interrupted by Billy’s irrational fear of clowns.”
“Ellie knew her feelings of terror were irrational. But the intense fear of buttons paralyzed every aspect of her life.”
How it Adds Description
Not all fears make sense, and you can show this via “irrational.” Characters with “irrational” fears might be misunderstood by others or dismissed as their worries seem illogical. This might make them feel even more stressed, as no one is taking their worries seriously.