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

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 The cake has three candles, but the raccoon seems afraid of the flame, so a human helps blow them out for him; then the raccoon starts eating the cake with his tiny hands. Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025 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, 5 Sep. 2025 Sarah Michelle Gellar isn't afraid of a little nostalgia. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 This might sound crazy, but don’t be afraid to point your camera toward the sun during the golden hours. Mike De Sisti, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for afraid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afraid
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • Using towels and a garden hose fitted with a piece of wood, the rescuers guided the frightened kitten through the winding pipes.
    Ronnie Li, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • When 17 children from one classroom inexplicably run out into the night, a frightened insular community starts pointing fingers at their young schoolteacher (Julia Garner) and the sole survivor, Alex (Cary Christopher).
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • And yet, from the beginning, the only people more fearful than Putin of American intervention were Americans.
    Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hoffman can’t help but cut me off in horrified pity.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • His promotion of conspiracy theories claiming vaccines cause autism, linking antidepressants to school shootings and even suggesting WiFi causes cancer alarmed healthcare professionals and Democratic lawmakers.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • For Salvadorans and deportees alike, what awaits inside these prisons has alarmed advocates.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Lauryn was seen crying and seemingly shocked.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • People should be joyful, not worried.
    Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
  • He’s not focused on the economy, which most Americans are worried about.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Afraid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afraid. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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