Definitions

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.

Afraid to spook customers, Neelakandan has listed the new shipment of journals at $18.99.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

Princess Catherine was the first royal to tell a bedtime story on the channel, reading The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark to mark Children's Mental Health Week in 2022.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2025

Afraid to spend, inflation-weary shoppers are also increasingly focusing on bargains and value, companies say.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 21, 2025

Appeared in the October 16, 2025, print edition as 'Who’s Afraid of American LNG?'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

Afraid because I don’t want my own funeral to be that forlorn and empty I want words at my funeral.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

afraid

Example Sentences

Related Words