Synonyms of afraid

afraid

adjective

ə-ˈfrād 

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

• scared
• frightened
• terrified
• fearful
• horrified
• alarmed
• shocked
• worried
• upset
• spooked
• aghast
• startled
• nervous
• affrighted
• scary
• panicked
• anxious
• apprehensive
• timid
• appalled
• terrorized
• hysterical
• horror-struck
• disturbed
• wary
• timorous
• shrinking
• panicky
• agitated
• shy
• perturbed
• phobic
• intimidated
• uneasy
• disquieted
• cautious
• careful
• fainthearted
• disconcerted
• coward
• tremulous
• dismayed
• daunted
• jumpy
• jittery
• cowardly
• fearsome
• cowed
• chicken
• funky
• unnerved
• skittish
• craven
• panic-stricken
• pusillanimous
• gutless
• unadventurous
• tremulant
• heedful
• prudent
• lily-livered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unafraid
• fearless
• daring
• adventurous
• brave
• bold
• spirited
• audacious
• sure
• courageous
• venturesome
• gutsy
• confident
• daredevil
• plucky
• hardy
• dashing
• spunky
• valiant
• heroic
• intrepid
• collected
• composed
• stout
• gallant
• assured
• stalwart
• adventuresome
• cool
• venturous
• valorous
• sanguine
• unperturbed
• resolute
• undaunted
• dauntless
• stouthearted
• manful
• lionhearted

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of afraid

Another stepped back from a student organization and began working more shifts at their job because her parents were afraid to go to work. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026

No family should be afraid to leave their home or feel unsafe in their own neighborhood. — Dennis Valera, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026

His father, Francisco, was also wary, afraid that the town’s militarization would somehow provoke further conflict. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Don’t be afraid to use a little muscle here—your door can take it—and rinse thoroughly when completed. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2026