Antonyms for "brave"
5 kid-friendly opposites of brave, perfect for writing and vocabulary work.
What does "brave" mean?
not afraid even when things are scary Knowing the antonyms of brave helps kids write comparison sentences and understand contrast in stories.
🦓 Opposite words for brave
Click any antonym to look it up:
How to use antonyms in writing
Antonyms are powerful in three writing situations:
1. Contrast sentences — "The room was brave, but the hallway was scared." Comparing opposites makes descriptions vivid.
2. Character development — Two characters with opposite traits (one brave, one scared) create natural tension in a story.
3. Editing for variety — If you've used brave three times in a paragraph, swap one for an antonym to vary your writing.
FAQ — antonyms for brave
What is the opposite of brave?
The most common antonym for brave is scared. Other opposites include afraid, cowardly, timid.
Are there different antonyms for brave at different grade levels?
Yes — younger kids learn the simplest opposite first (scared). Older students can pick more precise antonyms depending on context.
What is a synonym for brave?
A common K-2 synonym is bold. See the full synonyms page →
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