afraid

[uh-frayd] / əˈfreɪd /

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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

They’re not afraid of Botox, GLPs and Pilates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

It’s a respected animal, nobody’s afraid of a horse, people love horses, horses signify beauty.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

Algorithms learn what makes us angry, afraid or vindicated, then serve us more of it.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 1, 2026

And while he's not afraid to speak his mind, he says he is mindful of letting others do the talking sometimes.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

I find Hannah again, and sing to her, the words I’ve always been too afraid to say.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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