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 Examples of non-compliant headgear/face coverings include inappropriate face paint, offensive prosthetics, make up or masks intended to frighten, and fursuits. — Renee Anderson, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026 Her mount, meanwhile, is frightened by lightning and runs off. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 The rising cost of health care has frightened many people, including those with health insurance. — Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 The aggressive approach deeply disrupted and frightened the participants. — Kimmie Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frighten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten

Verb

After monitoring the situation, park managers found the bear unusually difficult to scare away and said its escalating proximity to humans posed a safety risk that was deemed unacceptable, according to the national park.

— Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Garner said HeeHaw charged toward the officers and continued approaching after a Polk County K-9 handler activated the electrical arc on a Taser in an attempt to scare him away.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

William James almost eerily comfortable in situations that terrify everyone around him.

— Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Lily James and Jack Reynor‘s forthcoming horror-suspense film is aiming to terrify moviegoers just after the traditional spooky season.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

Tail Town abides by that policy and aims to educate people about uncontrollable factors that could spook a cat outdoors like cars, dogs and wildlife.

— Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has spent four years proving a party with post-fascist roots can govern from the center-right without spooking financial markets.

— Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of spook

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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 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of frighten

verb

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