Definition of affrightnext

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affright
Verb
  • Studios that let a government inquiry frighten them into caution are not managing risk.
    Christopher Racster, IndieWire, 23 July 2026
  • Fig, a dog from Tulare County, disappeared after becoming frightened by fireworks and gunfire during Fourth of July celebrations, according to authorities.
    Denis Akbari, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • Still, the tournament scared off other groups who may have come here for business.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • But the Thunder, who remain $14 million above the luxury-tax line, did not trade Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe because the second-apron roster-building restrictions scared them.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • In the film, Cameron is terrified of his dad, but still lets Ferris convince him to drive his dad’s incredible car, a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder.
    Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • While some car companies have lobbied the government, terrified, asking to build protective walls to fend off cheap Chinese competition, others have looked at the problem from a different angle, trying to meet the moment.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Witness Hoon Chan Sim, 53, was sitting on a park lawn with his dog near West Drive when he was startled by the squeal of braking tires, and spun around to see the horrific collision.
    Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • Wildlife experts say black bears are strong climbers and may scale trees, utility poles or other tall structures when startled by people, traffic or dogs.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Affright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affright. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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