Another Word for Scared

Mild · A little, in the background

uneasy

A low sense that something is not quite right.

nervous

Jittery about something that is coming up.

jumpy

Easily startled by small noises or movements.

apprehensive

Mildly worried about what might happen next.

wary

Cautious and watchful around a person or situation.

on edge

Tense and ready to react to the next surprise.

spooked

Informal: briefly scared by something eerie or sudden.

Moderate · Clearly there, hard to ignore

afraid

Plain, clear fear of a specific thing.

frightened

Fear that has just been triggered and feels fresh.

alarmed

Sudden fear that something is wrong.

fearful

A steady, ongoing fear, not just a jolt.

shaken

Fear that lingers in your body after the scare is over.

rattled

Thrown off and unsettled by a frightening moment.

freaked out

Informal: scared and agitated at the same time.

Intense · Strong, taking over

terrified

Overwhelming fear that is hard to think through.

petrified

So scared you cannot move.

horrified

Fear mixed with shock at something awful.

panic-stricken

Fear that has turned into a frantic, physical surge.

frozen

Your body locks up and you cannot react.

chilled to the bone

Fear so deep it feels like cold running through you.

hysterical

Fear that has spilled out into uncontrolled crying or shouting.

I'm scared of the dark.

I'm uneasy in the dark, every creak sounds like a footstep.

The movie scared me.

The movie spooked me enough that I left the hallway light on.

I was scared during the turbulence.

I was terrified during the turbulence and gripped the armrest.

The near miss on the highway scared me.

The near miss on the highway left me rattled for the rest of the drive.

I'm scared to tell my parents.

I'm apprehensive about telling my parents, I don't know how they'll take it.