FRIGHTEN Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

frighten

verb

ˈfrī-tᵊn

Definition of frighten

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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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 Guitarricadelafuente said he was initially frightened by the prospect of acting in La Bola Negra. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 The purpose, the groups allege, is to frighten voters and keep them away from the polls. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Douglas admitted that his father’s behavior left him and brother Joel frightened. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 At the very start of the pandemic, while most Americans were hunkered down, frightened for their lives and worried about job loss, RealPage hosted a virtual pep talk for landlords. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frighten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten

Verb

Just learning about each room was enough to scare the troop of Brownies.

— The Learning Network, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2026
His campaign strategy in the days before the election seemed to rely on scaring the Israeli public into voting for him.

— Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

If the thought of having your email inbox leaked to the world doesn’t terrify you, better check that pulse.

— Stephanie Barnes, PC Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
The simple act of a child pedaling down empty hotel hallways on a Big Wheel builds anticipation, terrifying us with what may be around each corner.

— Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrify

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frighted

frighten

frightened

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“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of frighten

verb

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