FRIGHT Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fright' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fright are alarm , dread , fear , panic , terror , and trepidation . While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear. // fright at being awakened suddenly

Q: When is it sensible to use 'alarm' instead of 'fright'?

In some situations, the words alarm and fright are roughly equivalent. However, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger. // view the situation with alarm

Q: In what contexts can 'dread' take the place of 'fright'?

The words dread and fright can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety. // faced the meeting with dread

Q: When can 'fear' be used instead of 'fright'?

The synonyms fear and fright are sometimes interchangeable, but fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage. // fear of the unknown

Q: When could 'panic' be used to replace 'fright'?

The meanings of panic and fright largely overlap; however, panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity. // the news caused widespread panic

Q: When is 'terror' a more appropriate choice than 'fright'?

Although the words terror and fright have much in common, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear. // immobilized with terror

Q: How are the words 'trepidation' and 'dread' related as synonyms of 'fright'?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation. // raised the subject with trepidation

fright 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrīt

Definition of fright

as in mess

something unpleasant to look at people in our neighborhood think that that orange and green office building is a hideous fright

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

vision

as in fear

the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger the earthquake so filled me with fright that I still have trouble sleeping

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fright

2 of 2

verb

as in to scare

to strike with fear a ghastly sight that would fright even the most stouthearted soul

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fright distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fright are alarm, dread, fear, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When is it sensible to use alarm instead of fright?

In some situations, the words alarm and fright are roughly equivalent. However, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

In what contexts can dread take the place of fright?

The words dread and fright can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When can fear be used instead of fright?

The synonyms fear and fright are sometimes interchangeable, but fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When could panic be used to replace fright?

The meanings of panic and fright largely overlap; however, panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is terror a more appropriate choice than fright?

Although the words terror and fright have much in common, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How are the words trepidation and dread related as synonyms of fright?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of fright

Noun

Moments later their fun turned into fright as the coyote continued attacking the child, even after Cardinal yelled at it. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026 Halloween Horror Nights opened Thursday at the theme park where screams of excitement turned to screams of fright. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

For anyone into sheer terror with a side of entertainment, streaming services like Shudder can fright and delight. — Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for fright

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fright

Noun

In the city of Hurricane in far southwestern Utah, a shipping container drifting down a street gave way Friday to a mess of mud and debris to be cleaned up as people who had evacuated earlier in the week returned home.

— MEAD GRUVER, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
General manager Les Snead is also culpable for this mess of a season, trading for Myles Garrett, who has done absolutely zero for this team.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of mess

Noun

Fortune recently reported on wealthy parents’ growing fear that their fortunes will sap their children’s drive.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Coupled with job-displacement fears from AI, opponents now point to the facilities as a physical symbol of who benefits from the boom and who gets stuck with the bill.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

This article contains spoilers from popular horror movies and shows.

— Arryn Robbins, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
First introduced in Stephen King’s 1974 novel, Carrie, the character was immortalized in director Brian De Palma’s 1976 adaptation, widely regarded as one of the best horror films of all time.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of horror

Noun

Research has also found that across generational groups, greater user tendency to engage in social comparison, together with greater maladaptive ways of coping with emotions, is associated with more symptoms of anger, anxiety, and depression.

— Ashwini Nadkarni, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
The market for profiting off male body anxiety is nothing new.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Verb

For Cox and Walker, the challenge was to introduce horror-film conventions without frightening the franchise’s youngest viewers.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Guitarricadelafuente said he was initially frightened by the prospect of acting in La Bola Negra.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of frighten

Noun

This week, Indonesian equities experienced another round of panic selling, triggered by reports that major index provider MSCI is considering downgrading the country's stock market status.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
The few instances of panic were magnified by newspapers eager to discredit the new medium of radio.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of panic

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frigates

fright

frighted

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“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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