AFRAID Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'afraid' different from other adjectives like it?

The words apprehensive and fearful are common synonyms of afraid . While all three words mean "disturbed by fear," afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance. // afraid to speak the truth

Q: When is it sensible to use 'apprehensive' instead of 'afraid'?

The words apprehensive and afraid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger. // apprehensive of being found out

Q: When can 'fearful' be used instead of 'afraid'?

The meanings of fearful and afraid largely overlap; however, fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament. // the child is fearful of loud noises

afraid

adjective

ə-ˈfrād

Definition of afraid next

as in scared

filled with fear or dread Melissa is afraid of flying, so she takes a train from Boston to visit her brother in Chicago

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word afraid different from other adjectives like it?

The words apprehensive and fearful are common synonyms of afraid. While all three words mean "disturbed by fear," afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance.

afraid to speak the truth

When is it sensible to use apprehensive instead of afraid?

The words apprehensive and afraid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger.

apprehensive of being found out

When can fearful be used instead of afraid?

The meanings of fearful and afraid largely overlap; however, fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament.

the child is fearful of loud noises

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of afraid Moving safely from the clouds to this perch required a steep angle, a dexterous pilot, and passengers more afraid of missing the film festival than of death upon impact. —

Daniel D'addario, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025 However, the development of Gyeom from a pathologically genial young man afraid to let anyone in to a 30-something adult learning how to face his feelings is incredibly rewarding. —

Kayti Burt, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 Although not a professional model, the actress has never been afraid to flaunt what she's got. —

Brie Stimson, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025 Another friend was afraid to lose her work visa if her husband was let go from his U.N. job. —

Isabelle Mayault, The Dial, 13 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for afraid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afraid

Adjective

For the past month, California resident Adriana, who asked to be identified by only her first name for privacy reasons, has been delivering food to families too scared to leave their homes.

— Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2025
Ever since Donald Trump won the presidential election last November, kids around the country have been scared about what his promise of mass deportations might mean for them and their classmates.

— Vox Staff, Vox, 7 Feb. 2025