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
But her outbursts frightened the children too.
—
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
What frightened me most was what might happen to my children.
—
Monica Rodriguez-Aguilera,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
What frightens scientists more than the sheer numbers are that the cuts are arbitrary and manifestly pernicious.
—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Dolma told me that when the wind turbines were being built, their noise frightened her livestock and carried across the valley, disturbing neighbors during windy times.
—
Sanggay Tashi,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
What frightened me most was what might happen to my children.
—
Monica Rodriguez-Aguilera,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
What frightens scientists more than the sheer numbers are that the cuts are arbitrary and manifestly pernicious.
—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Dolma told me that when the wind turbines were being built, their noise frightened her livestock and carried across the valley, disturbing neighbors during windy times.
—
Sanggay Tashi,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten
Verb
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There was one American flag sign lit, with some storefront decor gleaming red, white and blue, but the heat seemingly scared most away from celebrating July 4 before Saturday's big day.
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Johnson says Monday was her first time on the Wild Mouse attraction; however, the experience did not scare her away from the park.
Verb
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Should Hentges have chosen unemployment instead of a contract because the Giants play in San Francisco and their organization is terrified of people like Slusser?
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While the Fourth of July can be a ton of fun, loud fireworks and firecrackers can terrify pets — and concern their owners.
Verb
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Pochettino’s sources of American sports culture inspiration There were some aspects of American culture, and specifically American sports culture, that clearly startled Pochettino.
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Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House.
Verb
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Makarim, who left Gojek in 2019 to join the cabinet under then President Joko Widodo, has warned that the case could deter professionals from entering public service and spook investors worried about legal uncertainty in Indonesia.
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Critics warn the measure could spook some of California’s highest earners into moving out of fear of future taxes, jeopardizing the state’s long-term fiscal health.
Cite this Entry
“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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