fearful

causing fear or dread or terror

• “the awful war”
• “an awful risk”
• “dire news”
• “a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked”
• “the dread presence of the headmaster”
• “polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was”
• “a dreadful storm”
• “a fearful howling”
• “horrendous explosions shook the city”
• “a terrible curse”

lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted

• “cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then” P.B.Shelley

extremely distressing

• “fearful slum conditions”
• “a frightful mistake”
• “suffered terrible thirst”

timid by nature or revealing timidity

• “timorous little mouse”
• “in a timorous tone”
• “cast fearful glances at the large dog”

experiencing or showing fear

• “a fearful glance”
• “fearful of criticism”