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 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 So don’t be afraid of the moments where life asks you to step down from the seat of the teacher and into the seat of a student again. —

Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2024 Israel's political and military leaders understood that a retaliation was essential to demonstrate that Israel is not afraid to act and will not be restrained by the United States, as Iran might have presumed. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Good morning, and Happy Halloween! While most people are afraid of ghosts or spiders, HR professionals have their own particular fears about the workplace. —

Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for afraid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afraid

Adjective

Two of the biggest forces in all of Hollywood are joining forces, and everyone should be scared.

Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Most on each side are scared, not just concerned, if the other side wins, and while most voters express confidence this election is being conducted fairly and accurately, Harris voters are more confident than Trump voters are.

Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024