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as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
the earthquake so filled me with fright that I still have trouble sleeping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to frighten
to strike with fear
a ghastly sight that would fright even the most stouthearted soul
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fright
Avidxchange Music Factory, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
Not all the scares and frights and bumps in the night are imaginary on Halloween.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for fright
Noun
Attendees will also get to enjoy the 12 pinball machines, racing games, retro games, giant centipede, air hockey, Guitar Hero, hoops, Skee Ball and so much on the night of frights.
—Avidxchange Music Factory, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
Not all the scares and frights and bumps in the night are imaginary on Halloween.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
For anyone into sheer terror with a side of entertainment, streaming services like Shudder can fright and delight.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for fright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fright
Noun
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And its cemeteries had grown into an overcrowded mess.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
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Parchment paper is a great tool for mess-free baking.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Despite the occasional mutual love, progressives have argued that Sliwa has previously stoked racist fears and encouraged vigilante aggression.—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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Glossier is supporting other alumni of its 5-year-old grant program this year because of the challenges so many of these emerging brands are facing—and despite political fear among many other companies to keep these kinds of programs going.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When the Maitlands' attempts to frighten the Deetzes away fail miserably, Barbara and Adam turn to the mysterious and mischievous Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to rid them of the living.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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Around 100 pairs were found abandoned on the roof, perhaps due to the thieves being frightened away, Sheriff John Budensiek said at the news conference.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Leone's horror anthology features a wraparound story about a babysitter, Sarah (Katie Maguire), and her two adolescent charges, Timmy and Tia, who find an unmarked VHS in their trick-or-treat bag.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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From Jason Voorhees terrorizing all visitors of Camp Crystal Lake to Michael Myers persistently haunting the inhabitants of Haddonfield, Illinois, horror movies have relied on the silence and mystique of their main antagonists for decades.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That driving tension and anxiety are largely thanks to the team of artisans, which included composer Volker Bertelmann, editor Kirk Baxter and sound designer Paul Ottosson, who worked closely behind the scenes on their respective crafts to bring it together.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
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That sense of anxiety is present throughout the book, most vividly in a wide shot of a group of cheerleaders rehearsing in a gym.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s something that scares me a little bit about not just theater, but people giving any opinions about any business.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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Allow your emotions, even the ones that scare you, to come and go without judgment.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Here's why some people are terrified of clusters of holesNeed a news break?—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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From slasher homages like Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue to esoteric but no less worthy films like Belladonna of Sadness, these works possess a power to shock and terrify.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Postpartum anxiety is excessive worrying or panic that happens after having or adopting a baby, according to the Cleveland Clinic.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
28 Oct. 2025
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Others pushed back in the opposite direction, insisting our constant state of panic is unsustainable.—
Marc Brackett,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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