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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of afraid
People are afraid to call the police.
—
Stephanie Douglas, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Many participate in grocery-delivery programs for immigrant families afraid to go out of their homes, Others serve as observers for schools.
—Harry Boyte, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
The two tuxedo cats skittered uneasily away from her, afraid of what kind of chaos this toddling creature would bring into their lives.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
Don’t be afraid to get a head start.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for afraid
Stephanie Douglas, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Many participate in grocery-delivery programs for immigrant families afraid to go out of their homes, Others serve as observers for schools.
—Harry Boyte, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
The two tuxedo cats skittered uneasily away from her, afraid of what kind of chaos this toddling creature would bring into their lives.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
Don’t be afraid to get a head start.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for afraid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afraid
Adjective
-
Number two, everyone is scared.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
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Individuals, nonprofits and local businesses collect bags of food, baby formula, diapers and other items and deliver them to people too scared to leave their homes.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And so if this gets replicated, if there’s a spreading of feelings of fear, the most vulnerable people will be frightened to turn out.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Both release a strong spray, or musk, when frightened.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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The bodycam video was an eye-opening look at the frightening aftermath of the Brown campus shooting when police were searching room-by-room for the suspect, trying to comfort and care for terrified students, and trying to coordinate with campus police to get past locked doors.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Public opinion surveys conducted for the report show much of the world is already fearful that is happening.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Khanna said his office had been flooded with calls and emails as the mixed messaging left many local residents fearful.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
You’re just horrified at what those kinds of impacts have.—
Andrew Dampf,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
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You’re just horrified at what those kinds of impacts have.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Others in Guojun’s orbit were more alarmed.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This year's software stock sell-off, which accelerated Tuesday, has alarmed investors, traders and analysts who worry the slide has further to go.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Reigning champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman, also known as MJF, looked shocked as the chant began, staring into the camera wide eyed before scanning the crowd.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Fans shared their shocked reactions to the incident on social media.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Capital expenditures, which are closely watched by investors who are worried about overspending, are expected to range between $175 billion to $185 billion in 2026.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
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But Willie Brown, the former mayor and speaker was not worried that Newsom would overly burnish his own story in his book.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Afraid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afraid. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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