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

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

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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 My students aren’t afraid of outright rejection — more, of being a source of anxiety or disappointment. — Carolyn O'Laughlin, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 Living with this secret, having this wall up between ourselves and the audience and feeling like there’s something to be afraid of, has just felt like this barrier the whole time. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 29 June 2026 Ultimately, companies shouldn’t be afraid to fail with AI, especially if the losses come out of the starting gate. — Rob Green, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The 62-year-old musician and DJ, whose real name is Norman Cook, got vulnerable in a new interview on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs series about feeling afraid to perform after getting sober. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for afraid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afraid

Adjective

On Saturday, July 4, the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department rescued a dog that had fallen into a well after running away scared from the sound of fireworks.

— Emily Harter, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Playing happily one second, and too scared to be alone the next.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026

Definition of scared

Adjective

In May, a frightened horse rammed into another carriage, causing the vehicle to flip over, injuring the driver.

— ANDREA SACHS THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026
Rodríguez acknowledged that many remain too frightened to return home even after inspections declared some buildings safe.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 June 2026

Definition of frightened

Adjective

The bitcoin price has dropped sharply this year, with traders fearful a further price crash could be looming.

— Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Some have encouraged online attendance, while others have offered help doing errands such as grocery shopping for people too fearful to leave their homes.

— Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of fearful

Adjective

The first police officer on the scene quickly ran back to the station for help, while neighbors calmed the horrified Lizzie.

— Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 June 2026
As a horrified Sam inadvertently observes, a creature has been sating itself on his buddy’s brain.

— Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026

Definition of horrified

Adjective

Politico reported on Wednesday that even some key Republicans are alarmed at the supplemental, claiming the administration hadn't provided enough information.

— Dan Mangan,Luke Fountain,Kevin Breuninger,Garrett Downs,Ashley Capoot,Justin Papp, CNBC, 2 July 2026
The talks unfold amid fresh crossfire over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil chokepoint the closure of which has fueled a global energy crisis and alarmed allies.

— Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of alarmed

Adjective

The city is recommending zoning regulations that fall in line with state statute while trying to calm residents who are worried data centers will overwhelm resources like water and energy and impose on their quality of life.

— Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
Hollywood insider Rob Shuter is reporting that guests to the wedding are worried about the itinerary and the scale of the celebration.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 July 2026

Definition of worried

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aforethought

afraid

afreet

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“Afraid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afraid. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of afraid

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