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.

"Yes, I am afraid so," says Lord Mandelson.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

"I'm really afraid for my life here," she said, adding that the drone could have fallen on her own apartment block.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

“He’s not afraid to step outside the box if he believes in it,” McVay says.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

But as public policy and law and social science experts, we believe students aren’t protesting for a very simple reason: They are afraid.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

And he was very, very afraid of being in Alex’s book, because people wouldn’t pay lots of money to go on Troppo Tourists tours if they knew the captain was a bad guy.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr

afraid

Example Sentences

Related Words