FRIGHTEN Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

frighten

verb

ˈfrī-tᵊn

Definition of frighten

as in to scare

to strike with fear around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales

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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.

Recent Examples of frighten At the very start of the pandemic, while most Americans were hunkered down, frightened for their lives and worried about job loss, RealPage hosted a virtual pep talk for landlords. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026 Viewers will come away convinced the world’s richest man mostly excels at self-promotion; they’ll also be frightened by the power he’s accrued. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026 But the more productive expansion has to do with character, especially as regards Carrie and her mother, who is not the deranged, abusive religious fanatic of previous versions, but an essentially loving parent frightened of the modern world. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 The stranger’s hollow cheeks, his dark eyes, whose lashes always appeared wet, the bony shoulders that protruded from the singlet Chee Meng had lent him—all of it frightened Shawn. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frighten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten

Verb

The anti-45 campaign is trying to scare voters with a Halloween bogeyman.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Although Down was not the victim, the case definitely scared her family.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

No wonder Dad had been terrified of making a mistake, of relaxing or trusting others enough to let his guard down.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Now a ruthless emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge and betrayal lurks in every shadow.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

Surveillance footage & evidence Police reviewed surveillance footage in the area, which showed the two gunshot victims walking, then appear startled, according to court records.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
The parents admit to some corporal punishment, but of a mild sort—the kind that might startle a child but which wouldn’t do bodily harm.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of startle

Verb

Wall Street remains spooked amid mass layoffs at the streamer and a share price that has fallen sharply throughout 2026.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
What followed were several nerve-racking minutes of trying to get into position for a shot without spooking the deer.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of spook

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frighted

frighten

frightened

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“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of frighten

verb

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