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"fearful" is also used as a crossword clue. If that's what you saw, the answer is often afraid (6 letters).
Definitions
experiencing or showing fear
Word origin
From Middle English ferful, fervol, equivalent to fear + -ful.
Used in a sentence
“Sirs, stop their mouths, let them not speak to me, But let them hear what fearful words I utter.”
“a fearful boy”
“"What an awful infliction for you, Max. You were always such an impulsive, reckless sort of fellow—never quiet. You must miss such a fearful lot."”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer1 curated clues
01“Filled with alarm”7 letters
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