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

Fear While children aren’t born afraid, feelings of fear stem from anxiety and worry. — Jenna Autuori-Dedic, Parents, 4 Aug. 2026

The game isn't afraid to sit in silence, with music used sparingly, often playing from speakers hidden across the island. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Shortly thereafter, Mielle’s acquisition by Procter & Gamble Beauty (which also owns Pantene, Herbal Essences, and Head & Shoulders) made shoppers afraid a reformulation was imminent. — James Manso, Allure, 3 Aug. 2026

In celebrating the players who are not afraid to take risks, and taking time to nurture the rough diamonds at the club, the tour is the first step in De Zerbi stamping his footprint on a club that had lost its way in recent years. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026