Afraid and Shy

Similar meaning words

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

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Shy is a synonym for afraid in feeling topic. In some cases you can use "Shy" instead an adjective "Afraid", when it comes to topics like timid.

Shy

Shy adjective - Easily frightened.

Usage example: a shy cat who hid under the bed every time she heard any loud noise

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Synonyms for Shy

Antonyms for Shy

Afraid is a synonym for shy in feeling topic. Sometimes you can use "Afraid" instead an adjective "Shy", if it concerns topics such as timid, quiet and self-conscious.

Nearby Words: shying, shyness, shyly, shyer

Mutual synonyms

Related pairs

Both words in one sentence

And since their hearts are also used as a cockpit for their human pilots... Shrinking Violet: Shiino is very shy and afraid, and clings to Mei for support.

Source: Manga / Q·Ko-chan: The Earth Invader Girl
Ruby, the Jewelpet of Courage, appears to Rinko because she is shy and afraid to make a speech in front of the whole school.

Source: Anime / Jewelpet (2009)
However, the story eventually reveals that he's actually a very talented forward, but he hides his talent because he's shy and afraid his teammates will think he's hogging the action.

Source: Jack-of-All-Stats

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Shy and Afraid. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/afraid/shy

Afraid & Shy. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/afraid/shy>.

Shy or Afraid. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/afraid/shy.

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