afraid

adjective

ə-ˈfrād How to pronounce afraid (audio)
Southern also ə-ˈfred
Synonyms of afraidnext
1
: filled with fear or apprehension
afraid of machines
was afraid for his job
2
: filled with concern or regret over an unwanted situation
I'm afraid I won't be able to go.
3
: having a dislike for something
She's not afraid of hard work. [=she's not unwilling to work hard]

Synonyms of afraid

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fearful, apprehensive, afraid mean disturbed by fear.

fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament.

the child is fearful of loud noises

apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger.

apprehensive of being found out

afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance.

afraid to speak the truth

Examples of afraid in a Sentence

Melissa is afraid of flying, so she takes a train from Boston to visit her brother in Chicago.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
If the temperature rises, usher in some airflow; don’t be afraid to sling your sweater over your shoulders or tie it around your waist. — India Roby, Glamour, 27 Aug. 2026 The most impressive trick Paranormal Activity pulls off is making an entire theater — devotees and newcomers alike — afraid to look away, and giving them one hell of a good time while doing it. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 What’s left is a vaguely political YouTube series afraid of its own tail, incapable of being actually relatable and too cowardly to own the batshit truths of these people’s lives. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 Not only through a financial boost, but a public vote of confidence during a time when many people were afraid and didn't know what to believe or who to trust. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afraid

Word History

Etymology

Middle English affraied, afraied, from past participle of affraien "to disturb, frighten" — more at affray entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of afraid was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing afraid

Rhymes for afraid

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Browse Nearby Words

Afr
afraid
afraid for
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Cite this Entry

“Afraid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afraid. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

afraid

adjective
ə-ˈfrād How to pronounce afraid (audio)
Southern also -ˈfre(ə)d
1
: filled with fear or dread
afraid of snakes
2
: filled with concern or regret
afraid she might be late
3
: having a dislike for something
not afraid to work hard
Etymology

Middle English affraied "filled with fear," from affraien "to frighten," from early French affraier, effreer "to frighten" — related to fray entry 1

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