1
2
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
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.
Recent Examples of fright
Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
In a second Instagram Stories post, the singer offered another look at the cake, featuring a large bust of a clicker, the fungal zombie-esque frights from the Last of Us video game franchise and HBO series of the same name.
—Gil MacIas, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024
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
Noun
Objects are often askew and out of frame, and everyday sounds like a toilet flush or blinds being pulled assume a low, staticky growl, as though frights fueled by childish imagination.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
In a second Instagram Stories post, the singer offered another look at the cake, featuring a large bust of a clicker, the fungal zombie-esque frights from the Last of Us video game franchise and HBO series of the same name.
—Gil MacIas, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
The perpetrators would acquire the vehicles via hire-purchase agreements, air fright them to Singapore with false papers and then ship them to Thailand.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024
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
-
Even before the credits start to unspool, Star Wars fashion, director Richard Lester lets fly with a series of slapstick sight gags that pile disaster on disaster until only Superman himself can untangle the mess.—
Arthur Knight,
HollywoodReporter,
7 July 2025
-
The Doheny Longboard Surfing Association also gathers in the early-morning hours at the Dana Point beach to clean up the crowd’s mess.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
The threat remains, but the public’s fears, along with the movies that explored them, have faded away.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
-
Rather than basing trades on company fundamentals or earnings outlooks, many investors appear to be reacting to market trends and peer activity — a pattern commonly associated with FOMO, or fear of missing out.—
Spriha Srivastava,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
But their return has also angered and frightened livestock farmers and others in rural communities who are having to learn to live alongside these once nearly-extinct creatures.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
9 July 2025
-
But on Friday night, the booms and blasts of celebratory fireworks appear to have frightened them away.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
In the span of three weeks, in prime time and on the big screen, Americans witnessed two vivid interpretations of the horrors of nuclear war: one explosive and terrifying, the other corrosive and elegiac.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
-
One of the most important episodes of the first season sees the contestants voting to leave, then choosing to come back after experiencing the horrors of living with debt.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
This can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern for the dog.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
This is the current situation: Certainly, a trend of appreciating precious metals is at work, but there is also the theme of ‘strategic and critical metals’ anxiety pushing platinum.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
The combination of a floodlight and a camera is a great way to scare off intruders and get better quality footage at night.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
-
Simply pull the pin, and the device will emit a blaring siren sound in combination with a strobe light that will draw attention to your situation and scare away would-be threats.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Paired with the gray-ish green color palette, sparse decor, and dark atmospherics in the Institute itself, the bleak vibes may be enough to turn some viewers off for good, especially those horror purists who tune in hoping to be terrified rather than just bummed out.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 July 2025
-
In a city where so many big plans have gone so badly for 30 years, San Diego residents shouldn’t just be wary when another bold proposal comes long — they should be terrified.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
According to the report, the lightning strike left beachgoers, swimmers and surfers in a panic, and many ran for their cars in the immediate aftermath.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
-
Steven was there for Conrad in that moment too, finding him on the beach hyperventilating and talking him out of the panic to distract him.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share