Dread v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dreaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Dreading.] To fear in a great degree; to regard, or look forward to, with terrific apprehension.
When at length the moment dreaded through so many years came close, the dark cloud passed away from Johnson's mind. --Macaulay.
dreaded
adj : 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" [syn: awful, dire, direful, dread(a), dreadful,
fearful, fearsome, frightening, horrendous, horrific,
terrible]