The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word DREADED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
D
R
E
A
D
E
D
More clues leading to the result DREADED
- Study English penned by theologian — it’s awful
- Scan blocks half-hearted exploit causing fear
- Terrifying regular visitors to Dorset and Leeds
- Feared becoming red and dead!
- Fearsome lecturer’s not finished infiltrating payment mechanism
- Much disliked — as lurgy!
- Was afraid of editor after report initially coming in late
- Feared a Rastafarian perhaps
- Fearsome Director studied on bed without book
- Terrified father holding on to Edmund
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Was afraid of" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case was afraid of = dreaded.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DREADED mean?
DREADED verb- To fear greatly.
- To anticipate with fear.
- To be in dread, or great fear.
- To style (the hair) into dreadlocks.
- Causing fear, dread or terror.
- Wearing dreadlocks.