be afraid

VERB

anticipate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assume await count on forecast foresee prepare for see

STRONG

conjecture divine entertain figure foretell prognosticate prophesy suppose visualize wait

WEAK

bargain for count chickens cross the bridge foretaste have a hunch hope for jump the gun look for look forward to plan on prevision promise oneself see coming see in the cards wait for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

doubt

WEAK

be amazed be surprised be unready

VERB

assume

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accept conclude consider estimate expect guess infer presume speculate suspect think understand

STRONG

ascertain conjecture deduce deem divine fancy find gather hypothesize imagine judge posit postulate predicate presuppose suppose surmise theorize

WEAK

be inclined to think count upon fall for get the idea have a hunch have sneaking suspicion

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abstain disbelieve discard disregard forget ignore misunderstand neglect reject

STRONG

calculate know prove

WEAK

doubt leave let alone not believe not do not take

VERB

conclude

Synonyms

STRONGEST

make

STRONG

adjudge analyze assume collect derive draw figure gather infer intuit judge presume ratiocinate reason reckon suppose surmise

WEAK

add up to boil down to have a hunch make out sum up the way one sees it

Antonyms

STRONG

disbelieve disperse distribute divide misunderstand scatter

WEAK

begin commence introduce preface start unsettle

VERB

deduce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deduct glean infer presuppose surmise

STRONG

analyze assume cogitate collect conceive conclude consider deem derive draw fancy figure gather imagine judge make presume ratiocinate reason regard

WEAK

add up boil down have a hunch make out read into take to mean

Antonyms

STRONG

destroy disbelieve disperse disregard distribute divide ignore leave misunderstand not believe reject scatter

VERB

deem

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allow assume believe expect feel presume suppose suspect

STRONG

account appraise calculate conceive conjecture credit divine esteem estimate guess hold imagine judge know reckon sense surmise think understand view

WEAK

daresay set store by

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disbelieve

STRONG

disregard forget ignore misinterpret mistrust misunderstand neglect

VERB

dread

Synonyms

STRONG

apprehend cringe fear quake shudder tremble

WEAK

have cold feet misdoubt shrink from

Antonyms

STRONG

steady

WEAK

encourage want welcome

VERB

expect

Synonyms

STRONGEST

await forecast foresee hope predict suppose take think

STRONG

apprehend assume calculate conjecture contemplate divine envisage feel figure foreknow gather imagine look presume presuppose reckon sense surmise suspect trust understand

WEAK

bargain for bargain on count on hope for in the cards look ahead to look for look forward to see coming wait for watch for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disbelieve

STRONG

disregard know misunderstand neglect overlook

VERB

fear

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anticipate avoid dread expect foresee shun suspect worry

STRONG

apprehend blanch cower crouch falter flinch fret quail quaver shrink shudder shy start tremble wilt

WEAK

be anxious be apprehensive be disquieted be frightened be in awe break out in a sweat dare not feel concern have butterflies have qualms lose courage

Antonyms

STRONGEST

face meet want

STRONG

calm steady stretch

WEAK

brave

VERB

posit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hypothesize postulate presuppose

STRONG

assume conceive conclude conjecture consider deem dream expect fancy feel gather imagine judge premise presume pretend reckon regard suspect take think understand view

WEAK

have a hunch have sneaking suspicion swear by take as gospel truth take stock in

Antonyms

STRONG

abstain be honest disbelieve disregard forget ignore know leave misunderstand neglect not believe reject

VERB

predict

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anticipate call conclude crystal-ball envision forecast foresee think

STRONG

adumbrate augur conjecture croak figure forebode foretell gather guess infer judge omen portend presage presume prognosticate prophesy read suppose surmise telegraph vaticinate

WEAK

call it crystal-ball divine figure out forespeak have a hunch hazard a guess make book psych out see coming see handwriting on wall size up soothsay

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore

STRONG

calculate disbelieve measure misunderstand

VERB

presume

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assume count on guess infer pretend suppose surmise

STRONG

conclude conjecture consider depend figure gather posit postulate predicate premise presuppose rely speculate think trust

WEAK

bank on jump the gun take for granted take it

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calculate disbelieve doubt measure

STRONG

disregard distrust forget ignore neglect

WEAK

abstain

VERB

suppose

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assume deem expect pretend think understand

STRONG

conceive conclude conjecture consider dream fancy feel gather hypothesize imagine judge postulate reckon regard suspect take view

WEAK

have a hunch have sneaking suspicion swear by take as gospel truth take stock in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disbelieve

STRONG

disregard ignore know misunderstand neglect reject

VERB

suspect

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assume believe consider doubt presume speculate think wonder

STRONG

conceive conclude conjecture disbelieve expect feel gather hold imagine mistrust reckon suppose surmise understand

WEAK

harbor suspicion have a hunch have doubt have sneaking suspicion hazard a guess smell a rat think probable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abstain disbelieve disregard forget ignore leave neglect

STRONG

know misunderstand trust

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Don’t be afraid of any crackling; cumin seeds should sizzle when fried.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

“Just because you’re getting old, don’t be afraid to push yourself a little bit,” Joyner says.

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

Don’t be afraid to stand up to brokers who are charging you 3% when 1% would be a more normal fee.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

“We explain to them that everyone has rights. Don’t be afraid to speak up. If something happens to you, let us know,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

"Your Highnesses, beautiful princesses, there is nothing to be afraid of," Don Quixote assured them.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios

be afraid

Example Sentences

Related Words