widespread fear

collocation in English

meaningsofwidespreadandfear

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withfear.
widespread
adjective
uk
/ˌwaɪdˈspred/us
/ˌwaɪdˈspred/
existing or happening in many places and/or among ...
See more atwidespread
fear
noun[C or U]
uk
/fɪər/us
/fɪr/
an unpleasant emotion or thought that you have when you are frightened or worried by something dangerous, painful, or bad that is happening or ...
See more atfear

(Definition ofwidespreadandfearfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofwidespread fear

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
It was anticipated that high rates of reported crime, awidespreadfearof crime, and concern about a range of other social problems would directly affect individuals' quality of life.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Most cities had curfews, and nocturnal activity was frowned on - given thewidespreadfearof darkness, and later of crime, most people did not want to be out anyway.
From theCambridge English Corpus
There was awidespreadfear, expressed by 10 of the informants, that information on their medical records might be made available to agencies other than the general practice itself.
From theCambridge English Corpus
There is awidespreadfearthat the legislation is too complex and convoluted.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That seems to underline thewidespreadfearthat defence resources are now being stretched too thinly to meet too many commitments.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Does he acknowledge the nowwidespreadfearthat we are getting a second-class service for the most vulnerable sectors of the community?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There is alsowidespreadfearof cancellations if the general world economic situation should deteriorate further.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There is nowwidespreadfearamong the old and disabled that they will be among the unlucky ones.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is thatwidespreadfearthat has made the sale of home shelters at £1,200 each such a roaring but mistaken success.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That is borne out by thewidespreadfearthat high spending on strategic defence may result in less money being available for conventional forces.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Will he confirm that there is awidespreadfearthat such rationalisation will inevitably lead to redundancies?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There was clearly awidespreadfearthat present cost levels were less than competitive.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Yet there iswidespreadfearthat more expansionary policies would simply rekindle inflation instead of leading to sustainable growth.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I find that among the general public there is stillwidespreadfearof the effects of low standard incineration.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There is awidespreadfearamong ordinary people, particularly the poor, that they are the victims of a very unfair system at the moment.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There is disturbing evidence that the campaign has causedwidespreadfearand anxiety, particularly among the elderly.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There has been awidespreadfear, which still exists in many circles, that this will continue to be so.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I am not aware of any suchwidespreadfear.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Thewidespreadfearof cut-price competition is therefore nothing to be wondered at.
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
Thewidespreadfearis that illegal immigration will increase considerably.
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
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Go to the definition ofwidespread
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See other collocations withfear