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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
What follows is a melee of pratfalls and freak-outs, a guffaw-worthy display by such a fine group of actors.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 May 2025
Expect multiple scenes of the characters engaging in psychedelic frolics and freak-outs, some of which illustrate their backstories through sweaty, surreal vignettes.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 May 2025
Every so often, the E.R. is visited by rats, little symbols of disrepair and instigators of slapstick freak-outs.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Enter another Jamie freak-out, which seems to come out of nowhere.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
No one is really disputing it, but the market freak-out hinges on the truthfulness of a single and relatively unknown company.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
The situation at the heart of the movie goes from bad to worse along a linear trajectory, but the horror freak-out promised by its eeriest moments never really bothers to materialize.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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
What follows is a melee of pratfalls and freak-outs, a guffaw-worthy display by such a fine group of actors.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 May 2025
Expect multiple scenes of the characters engaging in psychedelic frolics and freak-outs, some of which illustrate their backstories through sweaty, surreal vignettes.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 May 2025
Every so often, the E.R. is visited by rats, little symbols of disrepair and instigators of slapstick freak-outs.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Enter another Jamie freak-out, which seems to come out of nowhere.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
No one is really disputing it, but the market freak-out hinges on the truthfulness of a single and relatively unknown company.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
The situation at the heart of the movie goes from bad to worse along a linear trajectory, but the horror freak-out promised by its eeriest moments never really bothers to materialize.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for freak-out
Verb
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If a body is here, whoever buried it didn’t bother digging deep, because there’s no fear of getting caught.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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The article includes a fancy-looking formula central to the algorithm, but the formula is nearly impossible to decipher since the authors didn’t bother to explain half the symbols in it.—
Noah Giansiracusa,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Among the historic market meltdowns during these months were two in September—1998’s collapse of Long-Term Capital Management and 2008’s Lehman Brothers bankruptcy—and two in October—1987’s Black Monday stock market crash and 1997’s Asian financial crisis.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
10 Aug. 2025
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The eighth-inning meltdown spoiled the Angels’ good work against Skubal, who came into the game with a 2.18 ERA.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Now, conservation experts worry the road will propel more urbanization.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Consolidation of the nation's food production into fewer and larger operations worries advocates for smaller farms that represent economic diversity.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When the car is parked, leaving the windows cracked can let some air in help beat the heat.—
Keenan Thompson,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
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Some highlights: Security researchers figured out how to crack eight brands of electronic safes using two different techniques, both exposing significant vulnerabilities, Wired reports.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Ultimately, these discussions about college don’t have to include arguments or high anxiety.—
Robert Cole,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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By Linda Wells Skin in the Game Leather Bound Tanning is back, and Gen Z is ignoring the risks, turning to sunbathing and tanning beds to soothe anxiety and feel in control By Erin Flaherty Read On Dietary Restrictions?—
Jeanne Malle,
Air Mail,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Ford put on a blood pressure cuff and was alarmed at the results: 151 over 115, with a heartrate of 171.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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The decision has alarmed some of Trump's current and former allies in the GOP.—
Micah McCartney
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Guard in 1992 arrived in a city that had melted down: More than 60 people died, 1,000 buildings burned and unrest stretched from City Hall to Hollywood, with whole swaths of South Los Angeles torn to shreds.—
Jim Newton,
Mercury News,
12 July 2025
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But the freedom only goes so far — the robot must hide its true nature, lest it get melted down like so much scrap metal.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
Noun
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After holding a nine-game lead in the National League West entering play on July 4, the Dodgers went into a tailspin.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
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In the midst of the Giants’ tailspin, the team called on their top pitching prospect to make his debut.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Freak-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freak-out. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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