AFFRIGHT Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

affright

verb

ə-ˈfrīt

Definition of affright

as in to frighten

to strike with fear a ghastly sight that would affright any person

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for affright

Verb

Fireworks can frighten animals and send them scattering, but Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets apparently are made of sterner stuff.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
In those moments, what frightened her most was not her own safety but the knowledge that her husband was up there somewhere, flying in the same sky swarming with fighter planes dropping their bombs on Tehran.

— Mahsa Alimardani, Time, 6 July 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

The company will need to regain customers' trust, just as other restaurants like McDonald's, Wendy's and Chipotle have had to in the past after health scares.

— Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Significantly, High Plains offered alternatives to more expensive, two-drink-minimum club shows that might scare off casual comedy fans and newcomers to stand-up.

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 July 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

These get forwarded across the internet, and soon masses of young people are surging into an urban plaza or park, often terrifying any adult who happens to be nearby.

— Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Sebastian Krautz went viral on NBC10 Boston this week after admitting he was initially terrified to travel to the United States because of news about crime and safety.

— Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

Stone Mountain, Georgia — Jean Shifrin was hiking up a steep mountain trail on the Fourth of July when she was startled by something approaching her from behind.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Exactly two years ago tomorrow, an unexpected visitor startled a homeowner in Hillsborough, New Jersey.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 July 2026

Definition of startle

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affrays

affright

affrighted

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“Affright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affright. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of affright

verb

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