1
as in to bother
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
don't talk about death, as it totally freaks me out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to lose it
to yield to mental or emotional stress
the landlady totally freaked out when she saw the dead body in the hall
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in meltdown
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Dissimilar Words
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Recent Examples of freak (out)
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
For now, though, Chang is in her bubble up north and witnessing most of the freak-outs remotely and not in person.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026
Somebody, the woman had just a little bit of a freak-out for lack of a better term.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
John Hollinger looks at the Western Conference teams who might already be in freak-out mode.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
After Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary this summer, some high-end real-estate brokers confessed to having something of a freak-out.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 30 Oct. 2025
But that possibility is literally dynamited in a vision Daria has of the home abruptly blown to smithereens, the destruction replayed in slo-mo to the crashing squeals of early Pink Floyd, itself a collapse of psychedelic rock’s utopian ideals into acid-casualty freak-out.
—Jake Cole, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2025
The dog remained unfazed during Fowler's minor freak-out.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Oasis’s last tour, in 2008, was riven by fights, freak-outs, and sibling rivalry.
—Air Mail, 7 June 2025
Noun
The episode was almost entirely about Margo and her continued freak-out.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
For now, though, Chang is in her bubble up north and witnessing most of the freak-outs remotely and not in person.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026
Somebody, the woman had just a little bit of a freak-out for lack of a better term.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
John Hollinger looks at the Western Conference teams who might already be in freak-out mode.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
After Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary this summer, some high-end real-estate brokers confessed to having something of a freak-out.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 30 Oct. 2025
But that possibility is literally dynamited in a vision Daria has of the home abruptly blown to smithereens, the destruction replayed in slo-mo to the crashing squeals of early Pink Floyd, itself a collapse of psychedelic rock’s utopian ideals into acid-casualty freak-out.
—Jake Cole, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2025
The dog remained unfazed during Fowler's minor freak-out.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Oasis’s last tour, in 2008, was riven by fights, freak-outs, and sibling rivalry.
—Air Mail, 7 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for freak (out)
Verb
-
After a frustrating conversation with a hotel staffer about the air conditioning, a hot and bothered Fuller threw on a ball cap, turned it backward and recorded a rant on his cellphone.—
Tia Mitchell,
AJC.com,
1 May 2026
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Nine months after Varland was traded, Twins fans are still bothered the hometown kid isn’t clicking for them instead, especially given recent results from Minnesota’s bullpen.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The Game 6 meltdown will follow him, and questions about in-game adjustments, particularly on the offensive end, are fair.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
Houston has already had every single storyline thrown its way, from Kevin Durant’s injury to a Game 3 meltdown and head coach Ime Udoka identifying how soft and scared his players were.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
One perhaps shouldn’t worry too much about AI being prompted to resurrect a talk-show host, what with the whole format dying anyway.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
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Equally important, a chatbot does not worry about your wellbeing the way a doctor might—which is important, since the best healers combine technical skills with moral judgment and empathy.—
Sudheesha Perera,
Time,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Tuesday, April 28 Health inspectors cited the Rancho Cordova Thai restaurant after finding the cook cracking an egg on the prep line and continuing to prep food without proper handwashing and glove replacement.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
-
Chara thought nothing of cracking Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci or Brad Marchand in the back with a cross-check during net-front sessions.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The next, everyone is discussing climate anxiety among urban houseplants.—
Larry Clifton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
Typically found at gas stations and smoke shops, kratom and its synthetic version, known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine or 7-OH, have been marketed as an over-the-counter aid for pain, anxiety and drug dependence.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Many researchers, advocates and policy experts are alarmed by this White House policy.—
Alison Barkoff,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2026
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But the city stressed that this operation would not be for a data center, which remains a source of contention for many residents alarmed by their proliferation across the state.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Few expected this outcome, since the ornate helmet in particular would have been virtually unsellable without being melted down.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Many original prints were later lost, particularly during World War I, when film materials were melted down for their silver and celluloid content.—
Ryan Brennan
April 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Injuries to offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt sent the line into a tailspin.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Geoffroy van Raemdonck, who has been tasked with navigating Saks Global out of its post-bankruptcy tailspin as its new CEO, serves as an adviser to the company.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Freak (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freak%20%28out%29. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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