frighten

verb

fright·en | \ ˈfrī-tᵊn

frightened; frightening\ ˈfrī-tᵊn-iŋ

, ˈfrīt-niŋ \

Definition of frighten

transitive verb

1 : to make afraid : terrify The movie scene frightened the child.

2 : to drive or force by frightening frightened the boy into confessing

intransitive verb

: to become frightened She doesn't frighten easily.

Other Words from frighten Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about frighten

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Examples of frighten in a Sentence

The story really frightened me. The child was badly frightened by the mask.

Recent Examples on the Web

The implications of such a polarizing election are also frightening to some. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s Trumpian candidate, narrowly misses outright victory," 8 Oct. 2018 That’s just frightening how much you guys have planned out that far in advance. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "This Is Us Will Reveal 'All the Answers' Next Week, So Get Ready," 15 Jan. 2019 Nyong'o worked with longtime stylist Micaela Erlanger to assemble the much talked-about Us press tour wardrobe, which has fans delighted, frightened, and glued to Instagram to see what's next. — Glamour, "We Need to Talk About Lupita Nyong'o's Us Promo Looks," 28 Mar. 2019 Fast-forward 15 years later, and Cali and Noelle are thoroughly frightening the world in Peele's Us. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Whoa: The Creepy Twins From Us Played Ross and Rachel's Baby on Friends," 26 Mar. 2019 Last month, an Abington man frightened residents when he was spotted with an AR-15. — Julie Shaw, Philly.com, "Man who allegedly told brother, 12, to grab assault rifle in Bridesburg dispute to face trial," 17 May 2018 Despite a restraining order requiring him to surrender his weapons, Neal routinely frightened his neighbors in remote Rancho Tehama Reserve by firing guns in the air. — Dale Kasler, Anita Chabria And Ryan Sabalow, sacbee, "'Nobody had to die.' Neighbors say Tehama sheriff ignored year of terror before shootings | The Sacramento Bee," 13 Apr. 2018 This gem of a book manages to be an anatomy of our frightening digital age, a meditation on friendship, an exploration of the loneliness of military life and a love story—all so effortlessly. — WSJ, "Who Read What in 2018: Fiction and Literature," 10 Dec. 2018 Shark attacks are frightening at best, and terribly tragic at worst. — Cassie Shortsleeve, Condé Nast Traveler, "Should I Worry About Sharks in the Northeast?," 21 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frighten.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.