running scared

ADJECTIVE

apprehensive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid concerned doubtful jittery jumpy suspicious uncertain uneasy uptight

WEAK

alarmed biting nails butterflies disquieted feel in bones foreboding frozen get vibes have a hunch have cold feet have funny feeling have stage fright hung up in a cold sweat in a dither in a sweat lily-livered mistrustful shaky stiff troubled weak worried worried sick

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm certain clear collected composed confident cool definite easygoing happy laid-back sure unquestionable

WEAK

at ease quiet unafraid undoubting unfearful unsuspicious unworried

ADJECTIVE

cowardly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dastardly

WEAK

afraid anxious apprehensive backward base chicken-hearted cowering cowhearted craven diffident dismayed fainthearted frightened gutless having the willies jittery lacking courage lily-livered nervous no guts panicky pigeonhearted pusillanimous recreant retiring scared shrinking shy soft spineless timid timorous weak weak-kneed worthless yellow yellow-bellied

Antonyms

WEAK

bold brave courageous daring dauntless unafraid undaunted unfearful

ADJECTIVE

fearful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid agitated anxious frightened hesitant jittery nervous panicky scared shy skittish tense timid uneasy

WEAK

aflutter aghast chicken chickenhearted diffident discomposed disquieted disturbed fainthearted goose-bumpy have cold feet in a dither intimidated jumpy lily-livered mousy nerveless nervy perturbed phobic pusillanimous quivery rabbity shaky sheepish shrinking solicitous spineless timorous tremulous unmanly weak-kneed worried yellow

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bold brave calm composed confident cool easygoing extroverted fearless happy laid-back unafraid unworried

WEAK

courageous good inapprehensive nice pleasant unfearful

ADJECTIVE

frightened

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid anxious fearful panicky spooked startled unnerved

STRONG

abashed affrighted alarmed butterflies cowed dismayed frozen numb petrified terrified terrorized yellow

WEAK

aghast chicken chicken-hearted have cold feet having kittens hung up in a cold sweat in a panic in a sweat jittery jumpy lily-livered mousy pushing the panic button rabbity scared stiff shaky shivery sissy terror-stricken uptight

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bold brave cool courageous happy unafraid

WEAK

calm comforted

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.

Bond markets have the leaders of Europe’s biggest economies running scared.

From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025

But it is not just government officials or police who are running scared; Tijuana is a hub for everyone from businessmen and tourists to immigrants seeking to reach the United States.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 10, 2023

They are just running scared, and they’re trying to plug up holes in a boat that’s taking on water, not unlike the boat we were on in Colombia.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2023

And with a 20-year Treasury bond auction also due later in the day, bond markets are back running scared.

From Reuters • Oct. 18, 2023

So the community is running scared, but now it’s too late.

From "Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago" by LeAlan Jones

running scared

Example Sentences

Related Words