FEARFUL

[adjective] slightly literaryHe hesitated before ringing her, fearful of (= frightened about) what she might say.I get the feeling he's fearful of (= unwilling and frightened of) committing himself to a real relationship.She's fearful (= worried) (that) she may lose custody of her children.(dated) If you say that something bad is fearful, you mean that it is very bad.There was a fearful argument when he demanded his money back.