adj. 25B6; adjective
they ran away because they were afraid : FRIGHTENED, scared, terrified, fearful, petrified, scared witless, scared to death, terror-stricken, terror-struck, frightened/scared out of one's wits, shaking in one's shoes, shaking like a leaf; intimidated, alarmed, panicky; faint-hearted, cowardly; informal scared stiff, in a (blue) funk, in a cold sweat; N. Amer. informal spooked; archaic afeared, affrighted.
don't be afraid to ask awkward questions : RELUCTANT, hesitant, unwilling, disinclined, loath, slow, chary, shy.
I'm afraid that your daughter is ill : SORRY, sad, distressed, regretful, apologetic.
-phobe.
brave, confident.