afraid to say

idiom

variants or sorry to say or regret to say
—used as a way of expressing one's disappointment, regret, or sorrow
Most of us worked very hard, but she, I'm afraid to say, did no work at all.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
John Malkovich knows his worth and isn't afraid to say it aloud. — Shania Russell, EW.com, 18 Feb. 2025 Matthews has never been afraid to say what’s on his mind. — Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

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“Afraid to say.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afraid%20to%20say. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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