Afraid and Frightened

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

Frightened is a synonym for afraid in reluctant topic. In some cases you can use "Frightened" instead an adjective "Afraid", when it comes to topics like timid, fearful, scared. popular alternative

Frightened

Frightened adjective - Filled with fear or dread.
Usage example: I am frightened of the dark

Afraid is a synonym for frightened in timid topic. You can use "Afraid" instead an adjective "Frightened", if it concerns topics such as very scared. popular alternative

Both words in one sentence

  • Nightmare Retardant In any case, you simply cannot be afraid of a Slenderman who is afraid of a silkie chicken, brings frightened girls flashlights, and gives people Reeses candy for winning a video game tournament.
  • Shinji and Asuka are frightened of parenthood because they are afraid of being this to their child.
  • Stable Time Loop Thus, when he warns the people of the present, they are frightened by his appearance and too afraid to listen to him.
Cite this Source
Frightened and Afraid. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/afraid/frightened
Afraid & Frightened. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/afraid/frightened>.
Frightened or Afraid. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/afraid/frightened.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "afraid" and "frightened" have occurred on timeline