How do you use "Dreading" in a sentence?

I'm dreading Monday. She's been dreading this conversation for weeks. I dread to think what might happen. We're all dreading the results.

Dreading

Q: What does "Dreading" mean?

Anticipating with fear or anxiety Dreading something means looking forward to it with dread—that heavy, anxious anticipation of something unpleasant. The feeling combines fear and reluctance about the future.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Anticipating with fear or anxiety

带着恐惧或焦虑地期待

Anticipar con miedo o ansiedad

恐れや不安を持って予想している

두려움이나 불안감을 가지고 예상하는

Dreading something means looking forward to it with dread—that heavy, anxious anticipation of something unpleasant. The feeling combines fear and reluctance about the future.

害怕某事意味着带着恐惧期待它——对不愉快事情的沉重、焦虑的预期。这种感觉结合了对未来的恐惧和不情愿。

Temer algo significa anticiparlo con miedo—esa anticipación pesada y ansiosa de algo desagradable. El sentimiento combina miedo y reluctancia sobre el futuro.

何かを「dreading」するのは恐れを持って予想すること——不快なことへの重く不安な予感です。この感情は未来への恐れと抵抗を組み合わせています。

dreading은 불쾌한 일에 대해 무겁고 불안한 예감을 갖는 것을 의미한다. 두려움과 꺼림이 결합된 미래에 대한 감정이다.

Examples

I'm dreading Monday.
我害怕星期一的到来。
Estoy temiendo el lunes.
月曜日が怖い。
월요일이 두려워.
She's been dreading this conversation for weeks.
她几周来一直害怕这场对话。
Ha estado temiendo esta conversación durante semanas.
彼女は何週間もこの会話を恐れていた。
그녀는 몇 주 동안 이 대화를 두려워하고 있었다.
I dread to think what might happen.
我不敢想会发生什么。
Me temo pensar qué podría pasar.
何が起こるか考えるのも怖い。
무슨 일이 일어날지 생각하기도 두려워.
We're all dreading the results.
我们都害怕看到结果。
Todos tememos los resultados.
みんな結果を恐れている。
우리 모두 결과가 두렵다.

Pronunciation

/ˈdredɪŋ/

Usage Guide

Context: general, personal, work

Tone: apprehensive, heavy

✓ Do Say

I'm dreading it.
我害怕这个。
Lo estoy temiendo.
怖いな。
두려워.
She dreads the dentist.
她害怕去看牙医。
Teme al dentista.
彼女は歯医者が怖い。
그녀는 치과를 무서워해.
I dread to think.
我不敢想。
Temo pensar.
考えるのも怖い。
생각하기도 두려워.

✗ Don't Say

Generally acceptable in all contexts
在所有语境中通常可以接受
Generalmente aceptable en todos los contextos
すべての状況で一般的に受け入れられる
대체로 모든 상황에서 사용 가능
Common and well understood
常见且容易理解
Común y bien entendido
一般的でよく理解されている
일반적이고 널리 이해되는 표현

Common Mistakes

Dread is specifically about future events
'I dread to think' is a common expression

Origin & History

From Old English 'ondrædan' (to fear greatly). The word captures that heavy anticipatory fear—not just fear of what's happening now, but fear of what's coming.

Etymology: From Old English 'ondrædan' (to fear greatly), fear of the future

First recorded: English usage from medieval period

Cultural Context

Era: Medieval period onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in everyday English; 'Dread pirate' etc. uses different meaning

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.

Variations

Dreading itAbsolutely dreadingI dread to think