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 Morocco finished level on points with Brazil in Group C and frightened Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the first half of their entertaining encounter. — Jay Harris, New York Times, 29 June 2026 The thing that frightens me isn’t that machines will replace people. — Maria Colacurcio, Fortune, 28 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for frighten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten

Verb

The company will need to regain customers' trust, just as other restaurants like McDonald's, Wendy's and Chipotle have had to in the past after health scares.

— Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Significantly, High Plains offered alternatives to more expensive, two-drink-minimum club shows that might scare off casual comedy fans and newcomers to stand-up.

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 July 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

These get forwarded across the internet, and soon masses of young people are surging into an urban plaza or park, often terrifying any adult who happens to be nearby.

— Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Sebastian Krautz went viral on NBC10 Boston this week after admitting he was initially terrified to travel to the United States because of news about crime and safety.

— Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

Stone Mountain, Georgia — Jean Shifrin was hiking up a steep mountain trail on the Fourth of July when she was startled by something approaching her from behind.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Exactly two years ago tomorrow, an unexpected visitor startled a homeowner in Hillsborough, New Jersey.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 July 2026

Definition of startle

Browse Nearby Words

frighted

frighten

frightened

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“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of frighten

verb

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