If you want to convey the feeling of fear in a more subtle or nuanced way, there are a variety of synonyms you can use in place of "are frightened". For example, you could say someone is anxious, apprehensive, scared, nervous, jumpy, or spooked. Other options include using adjectives like terrified, horrified, petrified, or panicky to describe the intensity of the fear. You could also use context-specific words like intimidated, daunted, or unnerved to describe situations where fear is more complex or specific, such as facing a difficult challenge or encountering a powerful foe. Ultimately, the best synonym will depend on the tone and context of the sentence you're crafting.