- 1alarmed (at/by something) anxious or afraid that something dangerous or unpleasant might happen She was alarmed at the prospect of traveling alone. Thesaurusafraid
- scared
- frightened
- terrified
- alarmed
- paranoid
- afraid [not before noun] feeling fear; worried that something bad might happen:There's nothing to be afraid of. Aren't you afraid (that) you'll fall?
- scared feeling fear; worried that something bad might happen:The thieves got scared and ran away. She was scared that the glass would break.
- frightened feeling fear; worried that something bad might happen:a frightened child
- Scared is more informal, more common in speech, and often describes small fears. Afraid cannot come before a noun. It can only take the preposition of, not about. If you are afraid/scared/frightened of something, or afraid/scared/frightened to do something, you think you are in danger of being hurt or suffering in some way. If you are scared/frightened about something, it is less a fear for your personal safety and more a worry that something unpleasant might happen.
- terrified very frightened:I was terrified (that) she might follow me. She looked at him with wide, terrified eyes. I was terrified of flying.
- alarmed afraid that something dangerous or unpleasant might happen:She was alarmed at the prospect of traveling alone.
- paranoid (somewhat informal) afraid or suspicious in a way that is not reasonable:You're just being paranoid.
- afraid/scared/frightened/terrified of spiders, etc.
- scared/frightened/paranoid about …
- afraid/scared/frightened/terrified that …
- afraid/scared/frightened to open the door, etc.
- Don't be afraid/scared/frightened/alarmed.
- 2protected by an alarm This door is alarmed.
Check pronunciation: alarmed