frightened

1 of 2

adjective

fright·​ened ˈfrī-tᵊnd 

: feeling fear : made to feel afraid

a badly frightened child

The farmer was hurrying out into the road, and his wife was standing at the gate, looking very frightened.

—Anna Sewell

frightened

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of frighten

Synonyms of frightened

Adjective

• afraid
• terrified
• scared
• horrified
• alarmed
• shocked
• fearful

Examples of frightened in a Sentence

Adjective

I am frightened of the dark

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Nations are sustained not just by declarations and famous generals, but by less celebrated moments when frightened, exhausted people decide not to give up. — Harry Ostrer, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

Also at top of mind was the film’s sound design, which is deliberately used as another tool to make the audience feel frightened and uncomfortable. — William Earl, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Michael was still frightened and disoriented by what had taken place over spring break. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Roosevelt offered frightened and dispirited Americans a vision of a secure future. — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from past participle of frighten

First Known Use

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing frightened

• scared/frightened the dickens

Rhymes for frightened

• enlightened
• brightened
• heightened
• lightened
• tightened
• unenlightened