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View synonyms for afraid

afraid

[ uh-freyd ]

adjective

  1. feeling fear; filled with apprehension:

    afraid to go.

    Synonyms: timorous, timid, apprehensive, fearful, scared

    Antonyms: fearless, confident, bold

  2. feeling regret, unhappiness, or the like:

    I'm afraid we can't go on Monday.

  3. feeling reluctance, unwillingness, distaste, or the like:

    He seemed afraid to show his own children a little kindness.



afraid

/ əˈfreɪd /

adjective

  1. often foll by of feeling fear or apprehension; frightened

    he was afraid of cats

  2. reluctant (to do something), as through fear or timidity

    he was afraid to let himself go

  3. often foll bythat; used to lessen the effect of an unpleasant statement regretful

    I'm afraid that I shall have to tell you to go



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Other Words From

  • half-a·fraid adjective
  • una·fraid adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of afraid1

Variant spelling of affrayed, past participle of affray to disturb, frighten

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Word History and Origins

Origin of afraid1

C14: affraied, past participle of affray (to frighten)

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Synonym Study

Afraid, alarmed, frightened, terrified all indicate a state of fear. Afraid implies inner apprehensive disquiet: afraid of the dark. Alarmed implies that the feelings are aroused through realization of some imminent or unexpected danger to oneself or others: alarmed by (or about ) someone's illness. Frightened means shocked with sudden, but usually short-lived, fear, especially that arising from apprehension of physical harm: frightened by an accident. Terrified suggests the emotional reaction when one is struck with a violent, overwhelming fear: terrified by an earthquake.

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Example Sentences

As soon as this attack [happened], Paris citizens came together to show were are not afraid, we are Charlie Hebdo.

But we are afraid and we wonder to ourselves who will be next.

Are you excited, nervous, afraid, all of the above for the new Star Wars films?

But at this stage, he is either afraid or unable to get carried away by his thoughts.

Afraid the Korean secret police would not believe his kidnapping story, Shin settled in Hollywood.

I am afraid, Monsieur le Marquis, that I shall be interfering with your arrangements?

The heir apparent and his brothers were cowering in fear, afraid to strike, yet hoping that others would strike for them.

But I am afraid you would very soon get tired of us, and I ought to tell you, frankly, that our little home is to be—a broken up.

"I'm afraid I couldn't quite manage that, my dear boy," your fond parent would respond.

Mamma has proposed to her—in view of your absence—to come and stay with us, and she does n't seem afraid of the idea.

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AFRAeSafraid of one's own shadow