Synonyms for

Afraid

Verb / ʌˈfreɪd / Another word for afraid — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

feeling fear or apprehension

Synonyms & similar words

unafraid scared frightened terrified panicked anxious nervous timid shy hesitant worried concerned uneasy apprehensive daunted intimidated spooked startled jittery edgy unsettled

Synonyms by register

Formal

apprehensive anxious concerned disquieted

Informal

scared spooked shaky nervous jumpy

Literary

timorous fainthearted quaking

Antonyms

brave bold fearless courageous valiant intrepid undaunted

Common collocations

  • afraid of heights
  • afraid to ask
  • afraid of the dark
  • afraid of failure
  • afraid of what
  • afraid to move
  • afraid of ghosts

Word family

noun fear
verb fear
adjective afraid
adverb fearfully

Usage note

'Afraid' is typically used predicatively (e.g., 'I am afraid'). For attributive use (e.g., 'an afraid man'), 'fearful' or 'frightened' are more common.

Example sentences

  1. I am very afraid of spiders.
  2. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
  3. She was afraid to go outside in the storm.
  4. He was afraid of failing the test.
  5. I am afraid that I won't be able to finish the project on time.

Quotes

  • The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
  • Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.
  • I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

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