Synonyms for lest

Grammar : Conj

Spell : lest

Phonetic Transcription : lɛst

Définition of lest

Origin : c.1200, contracted from Middle English phrase les te "less that," from Old English phrase þy læs þe "whereby less that," from þy, instrumental case of demonstrative article þæt "that" + læs (see less) + þe "the." The þy was dropped and the remaining two words contracted into leste.

conj for fear that

Example sentences :

Was he worse and were they afraid to tell her, lest she should go to him!
Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald

Stand aside, Arnaud, lest you find a bolt through your gizzard.
Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle

Yet they took no active measures in that way, lest they might have cause to regret it.
Extract from : « The Dream » by Emile Zola

Nevertheless, we will have it done, lest their bad example should corrupt the other hogs.
Extract from : « Tanglewood Tales » by Nathaniel Hawthorne

But we were afraid to lose sight of the bridge, lest we should get all adrift.
Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper

He did not go down to the Lake this day, lest he should come near the tinker.
Extract from : « What Sami Sings with the Birds » by Johanna Spyri

Nay, answer me not, lest all these should remember your ill words.
Extract from : « Fair Margaret » by H. Rider Haggard

But we should be cautious in passing our judgment, lest we also be judged.
Extract from : « Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I » by Francis Augustus Cox

He had never been sent to school, lest he should meet with mortification.
Extract from : « Night and Morning, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Do not place the spit too near the fire, lest the skin should burn and blister.
Extract from : « Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches » by Eliza Leslie

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019