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.

I was half-afraid that if I sneezed too hard, a rotor might fall off.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2014

“Are you coming with me?” he asked her, half-afraid, half-teasing.

From Washington Post

He leaned over, daring to brush her forehead with his fingertips, half-afraid that she’d pull away.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee

She knew moments of doubt when she was half-afraid, and kept looking back over her shoulder, imagining that she heard the sound of pursuit.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

Dede raked her eyes over the yard, half-afraid her sister was finding fault there, too.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez