Synonyms of fright

fright 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrīt 

1

as in mess

something unpleasant to look at

people in our neighborhood think that that orange and green office building is a hideous fright

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mess
• horror
• sight
• eyesore
• hideosity
• monstrosity
• eye-catcher
• stain
• blot
• smudge
• smear
• spot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• vision

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

• fear
• anxiety
• fearfulness
• panic
• dread
• terror
• horror
• scare
• trepidation
• alarm
• worry
• dismay
• concern
• nervousness
• phobia
• pang
• jitters
• creeps
• agitation
• apprehension
• consternation
• twinge
• perturbation
• willies
• disquiet
• timidity
• funk
• cowardice
• qualm
• discomposure
• timorousness
• faintheartedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confidence
• assurance
• boldness
• courage
• aplomb
• self-confidence
• bravery
• daring
• fearlessness
• fortitude
• gallantry
• self-assurance
• hardihood
• intrepidity
• valor
• stoutness
• nerve
• audacity
• dauntlessness
• guts
• intrepidness
• courageousness
• doughtiness

fright

2 of 2

verb

as in to scare

to strike with fear

a ghastly sight that would fright even the most stouthearted soul

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scare
• frighten
• terrify
• startle
• spook
• panic
• shock
• affright
• alarm
• horrify
• shake
• terrorize
• scarify
• appall
• worry
• dismay
• awe
• give one the creeps
• amaze
• jolt
• distress
• make one's flesh creep
• discomfort
• distract
• shake up
• daunt
• astound
• disquiet
• unnerve
• dispirit
• unsettle
• floor
• upset
• disturb
• disconcert
• unman
• bowl over
• psych (out)
• discompose
• emasculate
• unstring
• chill
• perturb
• undo
• demoralize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassure
• comfort
• cheer
• assure
• soothe
• console
• steel
• inspire
• encourage
• solace
• hearten
• embolden

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fright distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fright are alarm, dread, fear, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When is it sensible to use alarm instead of fright?

In some situations, the words alarm and fright are roughly equivalent. However, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

In what contexts can dread take the place of fright?

The words dread and fright can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When can fear be used instead of fright?

The synonyms fear and fright are sometimes interchangeable, but fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When could panic be used to replace fright?

The meanings of panic and fright largely overlap; however, panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is terror a more appropriate choice than fright?

Although the words terror and fright have much in common, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How are the words trepidation and dread related as synonyms of fright?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fright

Noun

The real fright, though, came midway through that final frame, when star center Dylan Larkin went down in a heap after his skate seemed to catch awkwardly on the ice. —Max Bultman, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026

Many movies tried to recreate its magic mixture, including some of its own sequels, but few achieved the merry concoction of frights, gore, and giggles that Craven handled so masterfully. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026

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