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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Examples 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 Many Americans are afraid of what the aftermath of the election could bring. —

Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024 Take big swings like a howler monkey, and don’t be afraid of crashing into a tree like a howler monkey that is bad at judging distance. —

Viktoria Shulevich, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 Halloween decorations:Why some animals are afraid of the viral 12-foot skeletons What pet is best for me? —

Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024 Between the lines: When the job market was hot, employers were afraid of losing talent by being sticklers on seemingly minor rules, Erin Grau, cofounder of Charter, a future of work media firm, tells Axios. —

Emily Peck, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for afraid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afraid

Adjective

The latter means a sense of awe and wonder rather than being scared of God.

Walt Shelton, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Transgender youth have been flooding crisis hotlines, scared of what the future may hold with the new administration.

Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024