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
People in neighborhood are afraid, candidates say The Republican candidate seeking Hortman’s seat, real estate agent Ruth Bittner, noticed early in her campaign that people in the neighborhood where Hortman was killed seemed afraid to open their doors.
—
Mark Vancleave, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Rashid also said that Chiu wasn’t afraid to look to more eclectic works for potential purchases.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Jodie Elliott of Milwaukee, who is not a part of the Latino community, attended the rally to show strength for those who may be afraid to speak out.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 13 Sep. 2025
If Heather is so afraid, why didn’t anyone else have the guts to confront her?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for afraid
Mark Vancleave, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Rashid also said that Chiu wasn’t afraid to look to more eclectic works for potential purchases.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Jodie Elliott of Milwaukee, who is not a part of the Latino community, attended the rally to show strength for those who may be afraid to speak out.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 13 Sep. 2025
If Heather is so afraid, why didn’t anyone else have the guts to confront her?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for afraid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afraid
Adjective
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This version of Frankenstein’s monster enters the world as a frightened newborn babe, scared and curious and desperate for human affection.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
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In fact, Vanngo wants everyone to keep in mind that makeup is meant to be played and experimented with, so don’t be scared to try a new look.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Republicans are frightened, too.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Farima was withdrawn and frightened.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In a recent video posted to the AI Bible's Youtube channel, buildings crumble and terrified-looking people claw their way through the rubble.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
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Ed and Lorraine are the beautiful, tragic saviors of a terrified family confronted with a deep evil, strengthened by the power of their love for each other.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And yet, from the beginning, the only people more fearful than Putin of American intervention were Americans.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
10 Sep. 2025
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According to one survey, about half of those age 61 and older are fearful of what changes in tariffs will do to their retirement savings or retirement income.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Prime Video series ends with a horrified Daniel looking at Cherry, who's shown smiling at him with her hands calmly resting on very pregnant belly.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Sep. 2025
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Hoffman can’t help but cut me off in horrified pity.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Parents will be especially alarmed and this will place terrible burdens on pediatricians who will need to assuage their worries in order to provide important protections against serious and sometimes fatal diseases.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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That move alarmed Israeli officials who question the motives of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander.—
Gram Slattery,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Inside the West Wing, staff sat in shocked silence, scrolling to see the latest updates of news on their phones and messages on their computer screens.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Lauryn was seen crying and seemingly shocked.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Small business owners, who rely on social media to promote and sell their products, were especially worried with a busy festive season looming.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
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Parents are worried not just about getting food on the table, but whether that food is good for their kids.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Afraid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afraid. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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