“fear”

A deep, oppressive anticipation of something terrible.

“A cold dread settled into her bones as the footsteps grew louder on the staircase.”

Best for: Works powerfully in thriller or horror writing for sustained, creeping fear.

A trembling anxiety or nervous apprehension about what might happen.

“He stepped onto the stage with visible trepidation, his hands barely steady.”

Best for: Ideal for formal or literary prose where restrained, polite unease is needed.

A sudden shiver of excitement or fear, often thrillingly mixed together.

“A frisson ran through the crowd as the lights in the theater went dark.”

Best for: Best for moments where fear and excitement are deliciously intertwined.

A state of paralyzing fear or panic, especially when one freezes up completely.

“She was in a blind funk, unable to scream or run or even breathe.”

Best for: Punchy and colloquial, effective in fast-paced or dialogue-driven narratives.

An archaic state of timidity or fearfulness rooted in a trembling, cowering disposition.

“The knight's pavidity shamed his ancestors, who had never once flinched from battle.”

Best for: Reserved for historical fiction or deliberately archaic, ornate writing styles.

The bristling of hair on the skin caused by cold, fear, or strong emotion.

“Horripilation seized him the moment the cellar door swung open on its own.”

Best for: A precise physiological term for fear's physical grip; stunning in gothic or horror prose.