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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of afraid
There's no reason to be afraid of bringing a luxe brown into the kitchen.
—
Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 6 Jan. 2026
Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
So take note of these life lessons, and don’t be afraid to go against the grain in pursuit of something new.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
This time around, the people are less afraid of the notorious security forces and appear more determined.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for afraid
Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 6 Jan. 2026
Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
So take note of these life lessons, and don’t be afraid to go against the grain in pursuit of something new.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
This time around, the people are less afraid of the notorious security forces and appear more determined.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for afraid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afraid
Adjective
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The birds were scared away by a resident’s dog.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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As Hodges stood there, scared and vulnerable, the man grabbed his baton and bashed him on the head with it, rupturing his lip and smashing his skull.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Nearly a week later, Scott and Kodi Allred, a couple traveling to visit their son at the University of Northern Colorado, saw the frightened black dachshund darting along the same stretch of road near Elk Mountain.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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Sometimes, a frightened reaction is inexplicable.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Understandably terrified, Scott-Miller closed the store to protect her and her family’s safety and peace of mind.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2026
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When workers are terrified, turnover rises, productivity falls and long-term investment stalls.—
Anabel Mendoza,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Kurds became even more fearful of losing their rights after government forces massacred minority Alawites and Druze in fighting throughout 2025.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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Abbie was cold and very fearful when the officers found her, and she was later found to have suffered a hip injury that will require surgery, police and rescuers said.—
Bruce Shipkowski,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Yang plays Kieran Culkin’s stand-in, his arms nightmarishly chainsawed off as Ashley Padilla’s Catherine O’Hara equivalent lets out a series of horrified shrieks.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
20 Dec. 2025
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Then her old, extremely offensive X posts resurfaced—and the buzz turned to horrified backlash.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Experts are especially alarmed that the CDC is investigating splitting up the MMR vaccine, which protects kids against measles, mumps and rubella in one shot.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
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Phil, Myrtle’s son, who lived out of state, became alarmed when a concerned neighbor later notified him that his mother had vanished.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The mom of two could be seen typing and looking animatedly at her screen, appearing shocked.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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Fans on social media are mostly excited (and a little shocked) at this latest bakery item.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In response, the White House is planning to adjust its messaging strategy to focus on affordability to try to win over voters who are worried about the high cost of living with plans to emphasize new tax breaks and show progress on fighting inflation.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
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Are Americans worried about inflation just wrong?—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Afraid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afraid. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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