frighten away/off

verb

frightened away/off; frightening away/off; frightens away/off
: to cause (someone or something) to go away or stay away because of fear
The dog frightened the prowler away.
Tourists have been frightened off by the violence in the city.

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Cite this Entry

“Frighten away/off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frighten%20away%2Foff. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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