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I’m writing a line where a character is very anxious, and asks a person a question, but is sort of afraid to know the answer. I’ve written it as “[Question]?” Character X asked character Y, but I feel that the word “asked” does not convey the fact that the character is really afraid to ask this question, since “asked” just sounds casual. I was thinking of using the phrase reluctantly asked, but the character isn’t reluctant to ask (they are not hesitating to ask), just afraid to. What word could I use to convey that?

For extra context, the character is afraid to ask a question because one of the possible answers may cause them a lot of trouble.

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  • People often preface such a question by saying "I hesitate to ask", but then they ask it. It's an idiom that signals the attitude, it's not literal.
    – Barmar
    Commented Nov 23, 2023 at 19:47
  • Perhaps "anxiously asked".
    – Graffito
    Commented Nov 23, 2023 at 23:11
  • Are you looking for a verb, an adverb, a descriptive phrase, or something else?
    – Stuart F
    Commented Nov 24, 2023 at 14:02
  • asked fearfully works just fine: asked with fear [about the answer].
    – Tinfoil Hat
    Commented Nov 25, 2023 at 2:09
  • @StuartF an adverb or a small descriptive phrass
    – Obama2020
    Commented Nov 29, 2023 at 6:15

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I suggest the verb venture. Cambridge Dictionary has

venture
verb

To venture something is to attempt it when you are likely to be wrong or to be criticized.
I wouldn’t venture an opinion about that.

To say something when it is risky to do this.
I was too shy to venture a comment.

The examples don't show a usage when asking a question, but it might be

I said "Thank you for the assessment," and ventured "How much will the repairs cost?"

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  • I’m reluctant to use this word due to the more popular meaning of venture—to embark on some journey. I’m not sure if “venture” would be appropriate when asking a question, since the kind of question I’m interested in can’t be “wrong” or “criticized”. The fear stems from one of the possible answers being bad news.
    – Obama2020
    Commented Nov 24, 2023 at 1:03
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"And what if I'm not home by eleven?" she asked apprehensively.

apprehensive (adj.)

Viewing the future with anxiety or alarm : feeling or showing fear or apprehension about the future

apprehensively (adv.)
M-W

"Anything I can do before I leave?" she asked apprehensively, afraid she would be asked to work overtime for the third night in a row.
Clive Cussler; Treasure (1989)

"Which robbery are you talking about?" José asks apprehensively, fearful it was one he had nothing to do with the other day.
Nicholas Beeson; Riemann Zeta (2011)

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