frighten

verb

ˈfrī-tᵊn How to pronounce frighten (audio)
Definition of frightennext
as in to scare
to strike with fear around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 frighten Studios that let a government inquiry frighten them into caution are not managing risk. — Christopher Racster, IndieWire, 23 July 2026 Fig, a dog from Tulare County, disappeared after becoming frightened by fireworks and gunfire during Fourth of July celebrations, according to authorities. — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 22 July 2026 Fig, an Australian shepherd, ran away from home after getting frightened by July Fourth fireworks. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 The rescue comes as shelters across the region prepare for an influx of stray pets following Fourth of July celebrations, when fireworks often frighten dogs into running away from home. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for frighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten
  1. scare
  2. terrify
  3. startle
  4. spook
Verb
  • Ten sailors died in one attack, which has scared away nearly all international ships.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The exposure obviously scares him, but not enough to stop him from filming his next scene, where he’s been tasked with breaking in newcomer Cami Soul.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of scare
Verb
  • Spotify is terrifying much of the podcast industry with a tiny little widget.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Family members on the ground waiting for their kids to get off the ride were terrified as well, the girls said.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrify
Verb
  • Preconceptions, assumptions, and advance knowledge in the viewing public are regarded as impediments to the capacity of the tale to surprise, startle, or transport.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes workers would be startled by the sight of a machine moving by itself and realize it was being controlled by someone in Turkey.
    — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of startle
Verb
  • That should reassure investors who were spooked by softer attendance at Universal’s domestic parks when Comcast reported earnings last month.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Roo, who was microchipped, had recently been adopted before getting spooked and running away.
    — Kat Filardi, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of spook

Browse Nearby Words

frighted
frighten
frightened
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Cite this Entry

“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of frighten for Spanish Speakers

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