Fear is a complex emotion that has gripped mankind since the dawn of time. Riddles about fear allow us to explore the darker parts of our psyche in a safe, playful manner. Here are 73 riddles about fear, trepidation, anxiety, and paranoia – with answers provided!
Riddles about Fear of the Unknown
Fear of the unknown is one of the most basic human instincts. These riddles evoke the dread of facing an incomprehensible, threatening void.
1. What gets wetter the more it dries?
A towel.
2. The more you take away, the larger it becomes. What is it?
A hole.
3. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
4. What has a face but no body, hands but no arms, tells but never talks?
A clock.
5. People make me, save me, change me, raise me. What am I?
Money.
6. What falls but does not break, and what breaks but does not fall?
Night falls and day breaks.
Riddles about Fear of Death and Mortality
The inevitability of death is humankind’s biggest fear. These riddles speak to the dread we feel about the end of our mortal coil.
7. What must you keep once you’ve given it to someone else?
Your word.
8. The more places I be, the less you can see. What am I?
Darkness.
9. What belongs to you but other people use it more than you?
Your name.
10. I make you weak at the worst of all times. I keep you safe, I keep you fine. I make your hands sweat and your heart grow cold. I visit the weak, but seldom the bold. What am I?
Fear.
11. I have cities but no houses, forests but no trees, water but no fish. What am I?
A map.
12. What is broken every time it’s spoken?
Silence.
Riddles about Fear of Confinement
Claustrophobia stems from our fear of being trapped without escape. These riddles evoke the terror of being cornered and closed in.
13. What has teeth but can’t bite?
A comb.
14. What has a neck but no head?
A bottle.
15. What has hands but can’t clap?
A clock.
16. What has a bed but never sleeps, and runs but never walks?
A river.
17. What belongs to you but is used more by others?
Your name.
18. What starts with “e” and ends with “e” but only has one letter?
An envelope.
Riddles about Fear of Losing Control
Nothing is more frightening than feeling like we’re not in control of ourselves or our surroundings. These riddles evoke that loss of agency.
19. I flow for all to see, eternal and serene. Liquid beauty, I change yet remain the same. What am I?
A river.
20. The more you cut me the bigger I grow. What am I?
A hole.
21. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
22. I am rarely touched but often held. If you have wit, you’ll use me well. What am I?
Your tongue.
23. What runs but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a bed but never sleeps, and has a head but never weeps?
A river.
24. Feed me and I live. Give me water and I die. What am I?
Fire.
Riddles about Fear of Disaster
Nothing strikes fear into our hearts like the threat of catastrophic disaster. These riddles capture that panicked feeling.
25. I devour all in my path, consuming wood, flesh or steel. With might unstoppable I steadily roll, and crushing destruction I always tow. What am I?
Fire.
26. I’m tall as a house, fat as a hog, and have no eyes to see. Whatever I fall upon, I crush completely. What am I?
An avalanche.
27. Until I’m measured I am not known, yet when I’m not your worth’s not shown. You use me to compare, yet treat me with little care. What am I?
A scale.
28. I am weightless but you can see me. Put me in a bucket and I’ll make it lighter. What am I?
A hole.
29. I come from earth; I comfort you. You’d find it hard to live without me too. I cost nothing, though I’m prized and sought. Work too much and I come to naught. What am I?
Sleep.
Riddles about Fear of Loss
The potential loss of loved ones strikes mortal terror in our hearts. These riddles capture that chilling sensation.
30. You bury me when I am alive and dig me up when I die. What am I?
A plant.
31. I give you another chance after you fail once. What am I?
A second.
32. What has a ring but no finger?
A phone.
33. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
34. The more you take, the more you leave behind. What are they?
Footsteps.
Riddles about Fear of Rejection
Social anxiety manifests as a fear of rejection or embarrassment. These riddles channel those insecure feelings.
35. What becomes wetter and wetter the more it dries?
A towel.
36. What gets broken without being held?
A promise.
37. What has many keys but can’t open a single lock?
A piano.
38. What belongs to you but is used more by others?
Your name.
39. What has hands but cannot clap?
A clock.
Riddles about Fear of Failure
The dread of failure and shame holds many back from achieving their potential. These riddles speak to that angst.
40. The more it dries, the wetter it becomes. What is it?
A towel.
41. What has four legs but cannot walk?
A table.
42. What has hands but cannot clap?
A clock.
43. What belongs to you but is used more by others?
Your name.
44. What has many keys but cannot open a single lock?
A piano.
Riddles about Fear of Poverty
Financial insecurity breeds deep anxiety. These riddles evoke the terror of utter destitution.
45. The more you take, the more you leave behind. What are they?
Footsteps.
46. What has banks but no money?
A river.
47. What goes up and never comes down?
Your age.
48. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
49. What is broken every time it’s spoken?
Silence.
Riddles about Fear of Animals
For many, an instinctive fear of snakes, spiders and other creatures lingers from our primal days. These riddles tap into that unease.
50. What has legs but doesn’t walk?
A table.
51. What has hands but can’t clap?
A clock.
52. What has a head and a tail but no body?
A coin.
53. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
54. What gets wetter the more it dries?
A towel.
Riddles about Fear of Failure
Many are held back in life by a fear of failure or imperfection. These riddles speak to that insecurity.
55. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
56. I have cities but no houses, mountains but no trees, and water but no fish. What am I?
A map.
57. What gets broken without being held?
A promise.
58. What has hands but can’t clap?
A clock.
59. What has one eye but can’t see?
A needle.
Riddles about Fear of Violence
Humanity’s destructive capacity fills many hearts with dread. These riddles evoke our darkest, most violent impulses.
60. I devour all in my path, consuming wood, flesh or steel. With might unstoppable I steadily roll, and crushing destruction I always tow. What am I?
Fire.
61. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
62. I can sizzle like bacon, sting like a bee. I am made with an element that starts with P. What am I?
Fire.
63. What flows and has banks and beds but is not a river?
Blood.
64. They stab but never bleed, bite but never eat. What are they?
Words.
Riddles about Fear of Disease
Contagion brings us face to face with our own fragility. These riddles evoke that chilling sense of contamination.
65. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
66. What starts with “e” and ends with “e” but only contains one letter?
An envelope.
67. What gets wetter the more it dries?
A towel.
68. What’s full of holes but can still hold water?
A sponge.
69. I spread but I’m not butter, I can be pink or white or green. I bloom but I’m not a flower. What am I?
Mold.
Riddles about Fear of Natural Disasters
Hurricanes, earthquakes and storms are stark reminders that we are at the mercy of nature’s wrath. These riddles evoke that lack of control.
70. What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Your name.
71. I devour all in my path, consuming wood, flesh or steel. With might unstoppable I steadily roll, and crushing destruction I always tow. What am I?
Fire.
72. I’m tall as a house, fat as a hog, and have no eyes to see. Whatever I fall upon, I crush completely. What am I?
An avalanche.
73. I grow without water, die without air, and my veins spread unseen everywhere. What am I?
Fire.
Conclusion
Riddles allow us to tackle universal human fears in a playful, safe setting. Contemplating fear through riddles is a way to develop emotional intelligence and face our shadows. While fear can be limiting or destructive, it can also keep us safe in genuine danger. Like all emotions, fear is neither good nor bad on its own – it’s what we do with it that matters. Hopefully these riddles have brought some insight into fear’s many facets.
