FRIGHTENED Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

frightened 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrī-tᵊnd

Definition of frightened

as in afraid

filled with fear or dread I am frightened of the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of frighten

as in scared

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 frightened

Adjective

All asunder in the face and his eyes like a frightened bird’s? — Kevin Barry, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026 The capital’s numerous skyscrapers amplified the sensation of movement, sending frightened residents into streets and open spaces. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Verb

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 frightened

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightened

Adjective

Once again, Slow Horses isn’t afraid to acknowledge its heroes are in a terrible situation and will pay the price for it.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Fond of travel but afraid to fly, Pan would take longish vacations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, or Mexico, sometimes accompanied by his nieces.

— David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of afraid

Verb

That’s a $69,000 per-screen average — a far cry from La La Land ($176K) or even Anora ($91K), but in line with the likes of Poor Things and I, Tonya, showing that the streamers’ imprimatur hasn’t scared off theatrical audiences.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Although Down was not the victim, the case definitely scared her family.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of scared

Adjective

Synagogues canceled Sabbath prayers, while terrified Jewish citizens were warned to conceal skullcaps and flee home.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Word spread across the city that the Taliban had kill lists of Afghan women activists, and hundreds of terrified women went into hiding.

— Azadeh Moaveni, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrified

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
However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of startled

Adjective

Gomez, 67, recalled, watching as responding officers pulled a horrified boy from the car.

— Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
Greg O'Neill, 63, was swimming at Sorrento Beach in the northern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia on Friday when the attack happened in front of horrified beachgoers.

— Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of horrified

Verb

The attack shocked the nation, and Jordan declared three days of mourning for the victims.

— Omar Akour, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The company has sought to significantly reduce costs in Africa since the MultiChoice buyout, with streamer Showmax discontinued earlier this year in a move that shocked the local industry.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of shocked

Browse Nearby Words

frighten

frightened

frightening

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Style

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

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Synonyms of frightened

adjective

verb

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