AFRAID: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for AFRAID?

Need another word that means the same as “afraid”? Find 13 synonyms and 30 related words for “afraid” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Afraid” are: frightened, scared, scared stiff, terrified, fearful, petrified, nervous, scared to death, reluctant, unwilling, disinclined, loath, slow

Afraid as an Adjective

Definitions of "Afraid" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “afraid” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• Filled with regret or concern; used often to soften an unpleasant statement.
• Feeling worry or concern or insecurity.
• Anxious about the well-being or safety of.
• Feeling fear or anxiety; frightened.
• Unwilling or reluctant to do something for fear of the consequences.
• Filled with fear or apprehension.
• Having feelings of aversion or unwillingness.
• Worried that something undesirable will occur or be done.

Synonyms of "Afraid" as an adjective (13 Words)

disinclined	Unwilling; reluctant. Disinclined to say anything to anybody.
fearful	Feeling or showing fear or anxiety. Cast fearful glances at the large dog.
frightened	Thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation. I m not frightened of him.
loath	Strongly opposed. Loath to admit a mistake.
nervous	Of or relating to the nervous system. A sensitive nervous person.
petrified	(of organic matter) changed into a stony substance; ossified. The petrified child clung to her mother.
reluctant	Unwilling and hesitant; disinclined. They were usually reluctant to socialize.
scared	Made afraid. We re both scared of spiders.
scared stiff	Made afraid.
scared to death	Made afraid.
slow	Slow to learn or understand lacking intellectual acuity. She was rather a slow reader.
terrified	Thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation. The terrified horse bolted.
unwilling	Not disposed or inclined toward. An unwilling smile.

Usage Examples of "Afraid" as an adjective

• I'm afraid of dogs.
• Afraid even to turn his head.
• Afraid of snakes.
• I'm afraid you're wrong.
• Afraid to show emotion.
• She was afraid that he would be angry.
• Suddenly looked afraid.
• Afraid to ask questions.
• William was suddenly afraid for her.
• I'm often afraid to go out on the streets.
• I'm afraid I won't be able to come.
• Afraid for his life.
• I am afraid we have witnessed only the first phase of the conflict.
• Afraid of hard work.
• She was afraid that I might be embarrassed.
• Terribly afraid of offending someone.
• She tried to think about the future without feeling afraid.
• He was afraid he would have to let her go.

Associations of "Afraid" (30 Words)

alarmed	Experiencing a sudden sense of danger.
alarming	Frightening because of an awareness of danger. Our countryside is disappearing at an alarming rate.
appall	Strike with disgust or revulsion.
chilling	Horrifying or frightening. A chilling account of the prisoners fate.
claustrophobia	A morbid fear of being closed in a confined space. The small stuffy room had begun to give him claustrophobia.
confused	Mentally confused unable to think with clarity or act intelligently. Bewildered and confused.
dismayed	Struck with fear, dread, or consternation.
dread	A person with dreadlocks. The band appeals to dreads and baldheads alike.
dreadful	Causing or involving great suffering, fear, or unhappiness; extremely bad or serious. The weather was dreadful.
fainthearted	Lacking conviction or boldness or courage.
fear	Be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement. Fear of unemployment is paralysing the economy.
fearful	Experiencing or showing fear. A fearful glance.
fearfulness	The trait of being afraid.
formidable	Extremely impressive in strength or excellence. A formidable opponent.
fright	Frighten. Ghosts could never affright her.
frighten	Drive out by frightening. At his age I guess he doesn t frighten any more.
frightened	Afraid or anxious. I m not frightened of him.
frightening	Causing fear or dread or terror. A frightening experience.
phobia	An extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something. Phobic disorder is a general term for all phobias.
scare	Become scared. Gosh that gave me a scare.
scared	Made afraid. I m scared stiff of flying.
scary	Provoking fear terror. It was scary the way they bonded with each other.
shocked	Struck with fear, dread, or consternation.
terrible	Causing fear or dread or terror. Despite passing my driving test first time I m a terrible driver.
terrified	Thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation. The terrified horse bolted.
terrify	Fill with terror; frighten greatly. He is terrified of spiders.
terrifying	Causing extreme fear. The terrifying events of the past few weeks.
terror	Terrorism. Weapons of terror.
timidity	Fearfulness in venturing into new and unknown places or activities. She believes everyone can overcome their timidity.
timorous	Timid by nature or revealing timidity. A timorous voice.