Every person who is alone is alone because they are afraid of others.
Source: tatoeba (1367)
Afraid
/əˈfɹeɪd/
Synonyms for "afraid" (130 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (26)
Strong matches (39)
dismayededgyfaintfaint-heartedfaintheartedfear-struckfearedfearfulfeeblefeeblemindedfrailfrightenedfritterfunkingfunkyhaunted with fearhenheartedhesitantindisposedinfirm
Show 10 more words
Noun(2 words)
faint with fearfearing
Adjective(4 words)
Adjective(2 words)
Verb(1 words)
Related words (65)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abulic, afeard, afeared, afeared, aghast.
- fearful: 'Fearful' is slightly more formal and often describes a disposition, a fearful child, a fearful glance. It lingers where 'afraid' can be momentary.
- Sentence evidence is available for afraid, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, wiktionary, opengloss, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "afraid".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "afraid"
Keep "afraid" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "afraid" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "afraid", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "afraid" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
How these synonyms differ
- fearful - 'Fearful' is slightly more formal and often describes a disposition, a fearful child, a fearful glance. It lingers where 'afraid' can be momentary.
- frightened - 'Frightened' implies a specific cause, something has actively startled or alarmed you. It's reactive where 'afraid' can be a standing condition.
- scared - 'Scared' is more colloquial and visceral, it's the immediate, gut-level reaction, while 'afraid' can be more considered or even polite.
- terrified - 'Terrified' is fear at its most extreme. The body takes over, freezing, shaking, fleeing. Save it for genuine moments of overwhelm.
- timid - 'Timid' is a personality trait rather than a reaction to danger. A timid person avoids risk habitually, not because something specific threatens them.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
6 entriesMore specific
6 entriesCollocations
6 entriesInflections
2 entriesmore afraidmost afraid
Derivations
2 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
39 entriesShowing 16 of 39 words.
Sample sentences
16 total sentences available.
I'm afraid to fall.
Source: tatoeba (1810)
Despite Trang's constant affirmations of love, Spenser is still afraid someday she will fall out of love with him.
Source: tatoeba (1908)
I'm afraid your plan will not work.
Source: tatoeba (17256)
Showing 4 of 16 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "afraid"?
Closest matches include abulic, afeard, afeared, afeared, aghast.
How is "fearful" different from "afraid"?
'Fearful' is slightly more formal and often describes a disposition, a fearful child, a fearful glance. It lingers where 'afraid' can be momentary.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "afraid"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.