Afraid
Afraid adjective - Filled with fear or dread.
Usage example: Melissa is afraid of flying, so she takes a train from Boston to visit her brother in Chicago
Anxious is a synonym for afraid in fearful topic. In some cases you can use "Anxious" instead an adjective "Afraid", when it comes to topics like apprehensive, frightened, scared. popular alternative
Anxious
Anxious adjective - Feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty.
Afraid is a synonym for anxious in worried topic. You can use "Afraid" instead an adjective "Anxious", if it concerns topics such as apprehensive, frightened. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
Cite this Source
Anxious and Afraid. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/afraid/anxious
Afraid & Anxious. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/afraid/anxious>.
Anxious or Afraid. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/afraid/anxious.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "afraid" and "anxious" have occurred on timeline