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

To Say Them Gen Alpha is much less afraid to articulate their feelings than Millennials. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 June 2026

Children are generally afraid of ghosts, so telling them to be scared of larger bodies is deeply problematic. —Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Another factor to like with Suárez is that, with Pocono expected to be a strategy-heavy race, Sparks is not afraid to gamble. —Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 13 June 2026

By this time, Hockney, who was never afraid to experiment with technology, had begun creating art using an iPad. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026