as in to scare
to strike with fear
around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales
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Recent Examples of frighten
Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.
—
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
In the first Nobody, Odenkirk’s Hutch has to reignite the sleeping assassin within himself after his family was frightened by a botched home invasion.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
None of the practical considerations frightened me.
—Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
While the notion might frighten fans who have Thursday nights perpetually blocked off on their calendars, shorter episodes could prove beneficial in giving the Critical Role founders a little bit of a break.
—Dana Reboe, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
In the first Nobody, Odenkirk’s Hutch has to reignite the sleeping assassin within himself after his family was frightened by a botched home invasion.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
None of the practical considerations frightened me.
—Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
While the notion might frighten fans who have Thursday nights perpetually blocked off on their calendars, shorter episodes could prove beneficial in giving the Critical Role founders a little bit of a break.
—Dana Reboe, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten
Verb
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Just enough time to snap some selfies and scare your housemates.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Their offense, outside their all-world quarterback, doesn’t scare anybody, not without Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (injury), and with Travis Kelce in Year 13.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In that episode, the college football fans are terrified to find themselves in Pro Town, a place where people go to yoga on Saturdays.—
Kristi Dosh,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Murillo recalled a Cuban grandmother whose grandchildren were terrified to go to school after their father was detained in front of them at their own home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Seagulls lift off the beach, startled by the sudden salty cacophony.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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While some dogs are more confident, others may become easily startled by noises, objects, or movements that appear harmless to humans.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Once the Dolphins burned them on a few man-to-man calls during a 2-minute drill that closed the first half, the Patriots were spooked out of man-coverage almost completely.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
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In fact, fundamentals take a back seat when investors get spooked by the outlook, and even great stocks can take a beating.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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