fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament.
the child is fearful of loud noises
apprehensive suggests a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or danger.
apprehensive of being found out
afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance.
afraid to speak the truth
Example Sentences
He plays the role of a timid and fearful clerk. They won the war but at a fearful cost.
Recent Examples on the WebMany Asian Americans have become increasingly fearful about being targeted amid a rise in anti-Asian hate attacks during the pandemic.Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Many librarians, rightly so, are incredibly fearful for their personal safety, for their family’s safety, for their job security. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2022 Instead, businesses are growing fearful about the enduring damage from zero-Covid lockdowns, the real-estate implosion, and Mr. Xi’s hostility to successful private enterprise such as tech companies that is showing up in regulatory crackdowns. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 15 Aug. 2022 In the Boston area, some drag performers say they’ve been harassed, leaving them fearful for their safety. Anjali Huynh, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2022 Households are fearful about the future, and consumer confidence is plummeting.New York Times, 22 June 2022 The onus is on everyone, not just those experiencing menopause, to understand the natural process and support people going through it who may be fearful about its implications on their day-to-day life, Dweck says. Alexa Mikhail, Fortune, 15 June 2022 Those who made up a small but dogged band of reporters determined to uncover and tell the truth in Russia are now scattered across Europe, uncertain of their futures and fearful for their country’s.NBC News, 16 Mar. 2022 The court's staff attorney, who was threatened, became fearful for her life after seeing the video, Mehling wrote in the order. Rachel Berry, The Enquirer, 24 Feb. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English feerful, fereful "inspiring dread, frightened," from ferfear entry 1 + -ful-ful entry 1