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redouter

to dread

verb ruh-doo-TEH Rare
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Also means

to fear

Usage Note

Redouter conveys a deep, anticipatory fear rather than a sudden fright (avoir peur). It is formal and literary in register. The related adjective redoutable (fearsome, formidable) is more common in everyday use. Redouter le pire (to dread the worst) is a set expression.

Examples

"Il redoute les examens de fin d'année."

Natural Translation

He dreads the end-of-year exams.

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