Synonyms for "afraid"
13 kid-friendly synonyms for afraid, sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).
What does "afraid" mean?
The word afraid is an adjective that means: feeling scared.
Example: "I am afraid of spiders."
Grade K–2Easy synonyms for afraid
Younger kids can use these in place of "afraid":
Grade 3–5Stronger words for afraid
For elementary writers ready to add precision and variety to their vocabulary:
Grade 6–8Middle-school vocabulary for afraid
Tier 2 academic alternatives — useful for essays, persuasive writing, and standardized tests:
Opposites of afraid (antonyms)
Words that mean the opposite of afraid:
FAQ — synonyms for afraid
What is a good synonym for afraid in a kid's writing?
For K-2 writers, try scared. For older students, "frightened" reads more naturally in school writing.
How many synonyms does afraid have?
We list 13 grade-appropriate synonyms for afraid across three reading levels. Adults' thesauruses include dozens more, but most aren't useful for K-8 vocabulary.
Is afraid a noun, verb, or adjective?
In this entry, afraid is used as an adjective.
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