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

Pollock was not afraid of strong women and Lee Krasner was one of the most courageous, outspoken, and tenacious women any man might have chosen. — Barbara Rose, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026

This album is not afraid of its own agonizing lows or tethered to a toe-tapping dance-pop initiative; reveling in this ever-molting freedom, Sivan drops what is easily his finest collection of songs to date. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Her patient, Maya, who is afraid of doctors and hospitals, squealed with excitement. — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Daly will play Helen Adler, a dedicated birder who’s not afraid to ruffle feathers when her flock is threatened. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026