as in to scare
to strike with fear
around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 frighten
Grete is frightened of her brother, of course.
—
Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Israel knows women and babies were tortured, burned and posed in inhuman ways for one reason — to frighten.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
If the Cayenne Turbo GT proved SUVs could handle like sports cars, the Taycan Turbo GT proved EVs could frighten supercars.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
His dribbling, direct running style and finishing frighten defenders and light up the biggest stages.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Israel knows women and babies were tortured, burned and posed in inhuman ways for one reason — to frighten.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
If the Cayenne Turbo GT proved SUVs could handle like sports cars, the Taycan Turbo GT proved EVs could frighten supercars.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
His dribbling, direct running style and finishing frighten defenders and light up the biggest stages.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten
Verb
-
Bossche says the encounter with the rattler hasn't scared her off the trails for good.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The outlet reported that, in the other scenario, guides and hotel staff, according to the CIB probe, have been coached to scare trekkers at high altitude, where altitude sickness can occur.—
Alex Nitzberg,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Residents of Tehran, the Iranian capital, say they are exhausted by the bombs that have battered their city on a daily basis and terrified of the security checkpoints that have popped up looking for spies.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Since his detainment, Maria said that she's been terrified of leaving the home.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is a novel about Jewish bodies and how people respond to them, the toll of obsession, and the conflicting currents of desire and unease that shake and startle a deep romantic fixation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Kevin Uribe, another employee, said the sound of the collapse initially startled him.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The war’s financial toll has spooked the president’s economic advisers, a fear that will grow if the war is prolonged.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The unprecedented leap at Sunshine Farm in Necedah, Wisconsin, last week was precipitated by some stray dogs that rushed the enclosure and spooked the 16-month-old Chesney, said his keeper, Debbie Marland.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
