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
-
Life in Weisshorn is a mess of lies and trauma, and Nel’s ready to break out.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
26 June 2025
-
In the wacky political world of Southeast Los Angeles County — where scandals seem to bloom every year with the regularity of jacarandas — there’s never been a mess as pendejo as the one stirred up this week by Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
The fear, in fact, is that our continual need to standardize will modernize ourselves out of existence.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
28 June 2025
-
Levine also challenged Ono’s inaction as a pro-Hamas encampment took hold in the heart of Michigan’s campus, causing terror and fear among Jewish students.—
Avi D. Gordon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
The woman inside banged pots and pans and screamed at the bear to try to frighten it away, officials said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2025
-
Winston Churchill said the U-boat peril was the only thing that really frightened him during World War II.—
Carl Burdette,
Baltimore Sun,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Her post-Sisterhood career has featured roles in horror flicks (The Grudge 2), cringe comedies (The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret), medical dramas (House), and sitcoms (Two and a Half Men).—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 June 2025
-
The world is cruel, unfair and full of horrors, many of which will grow increasingly grotesque in our lifetimes.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Your husband’s anxiety just makes her puppet strings easier to pull.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
5 July 2025
-
Jail records from 2019 show that Ornelas suffered from depression and anxiety and had previously been placed on suicide watch.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
The camper attempted to scare off the bear by banging pots and pans and screaming at the bear.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
-
The chemistry is real, but Nic scares me for Olandria.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
The loud noises terrify many dogs and cats into running away — which is easier with more doors opening during parties.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The women on the ward were terrified by the sudden invasion of masked people.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Although the frustration of supporters is shared internally, there is no sense of panic — which is unlikely to pacify fans understandably impatient for additions following three successive windows without a first-XI signing.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
3 July 2025
-
In a recent case, a prior beef between two people led to gunshots inside Castleton Square Mall on Dec. 23 – prompting panic and an evacuation of the center on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.—
Sarah Nelson,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share