afraid

[uh-freyd] / əˈfreɪd /

ADJECTIVE

fearful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anxious apprehensive frightened nervous scared shocked suspicious timid

WEAK

abashed aghast alarmed aroused blanched cowardly cowed daunted discouraged disheartened dismayed distressed disturbed faint-hearted frozen have cold feet horrified in awe intimidated panic-stricken perplexed perturbed petrified rattled run scared scared stiff scared to death spooked startled stunned terrified terror-stricken timorous trembling upset worried

Antonyms

STRONGEST

brave calm happy unafraid unworried

WEAK

bold composed cool courageous eager fearless heroic intrepid undaunted undismayed valiant venturesome

ADJECTIVE

reluctant, regretful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hesitant loath reluctant sorry unhappy unwilling

WEAK

averse backward disinclined indisposed uneager

Antonyms

STRONGEST

glad happy ready willing

WEAK

bold brave composed cool courageous eager fearless heroic intrepid unafraid undaunted undismayed valiant venturesome

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We are not afraid to say we believe Indian builds the better motorcycle, and we are not afraid to say Indian is closer to the riders and values that built American motorcycling,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

"She's afraid to go back to work because she doesn't know how she'll feel seeing people…she's just really frightened."

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

But behind those calls are people who have spent decades carefully building a nest egg and are afraid to miss the SpaceX launch.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

"I'm not afraid of speaking up when it's needed," she added.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

For a moment, Jonah was afraid that she wasn’t going to react—why was she acting so freaky?

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

afraid

Example Sentences

Related Words