as in scared
filled with fear or dread
Melissa is afraid of flying, so she takes a train from Boston to visit her brother in Chicago
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of afraid
Forty-four years ago today, people who were already afraid of cities got the scare of their lives with the release of Escape From New York, John Carpenter's carceral fantasy starring an eyepatch-wearing Kurt Russell doing battle against anarchic hordes in a chaotic urban environment.
—
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 10 July 2025
Joseph encouraged other possible survivors who may have been afraid to report Duran because of his position as a police officer to come foward.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 10 July 2025
While the traditional ring bearer is always a cute addition to your wedding party, don’t be afraid to swap in an alternative that feels right for your ceremony.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 10 July 2025
If people are afraid to even go to the grocery store, movie theaters are certainly not a priority.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for afraid
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 10 July 2025
Joseph encouraged other possible survivors who may have been afraid to report Duran because of his position as a police officer to come foward.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 10 July 2025
While the traditional ring bearer is always a cute addition to your wedding party, don’t be afraid to swap in an alternative that feels right for your ceremony.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 10 July 2025
If people are afraid to even go to the grocery store, movie theaters are certainly not a priority.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for afraid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afraid
Adjective
-
There’s people that are getting into trouble because the powers that be are scared, too.—
Mario Koran,
jsonline.com,
12 July 2025
-
Most notable in the repeat of Man of Steel elements and themes, there’s the Kryptonian message threatening earth, which makes the public scared, so Superman turns himself in to government authorities.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Audience noises at the NRG Stadium in Houston went from frightened gasps to applause as the descent was completed.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
29 June 2025
-
Things were hectic in the mall, Stain, 45, said, with lots of frightened people running to the exits.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
After raids on California farms in June, some crops have been left unharvested, with farm operators fearful of more crackdowns to come.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
Red flags might also include your child avoiding school or seeming fearful.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Still, Russia is genuinely alarmed at the prospect of US weapons, even defensive Patriot missile defense systems, flowing back into Ukraine.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
15 July 2025
-
The reactions on social media were swift and alarmed.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
The season 26 veto meeting when Tucker chooses not to save himself and instead saves a shocked Angela.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
5 July 2025
-
Five years later, Jack, an actor, is shocked to arrive on set of his new Great Gatsby adaption to find CJ, who is working on the film as a production designer and is now a single mom to a 4-year-old.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Critics of Greene's bill are worried that the legislation could disproportionately benefit higher-income individuals, who naturally stand to make more profits from a home sale.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
One of the biggest shifts since the time of Rose is that far fewer Americans are worried about this potential problem.—
Harry Enten,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Afraid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afraid. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share