Synonyms of frightened

frightened 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrī-tᵊnd 

as in afraid

filled with fear or dread

I am frightened of the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

• afraid
• terrified
• scared
• horrified
• alarmed
• shocked
• fearful
• worried
• spooked
• startled
• aghast
• upset
• affrighted
• panicked
• scary
• nervous
• terrorized
• hysterical
• anxious
• horror-struck
• apprehensive
• appalled
• timid
• disturbed
• timorous
• panicky
• agitated
• perturbed
• disquieted
• shrinking
• disconcerted
• wary
• fainthearted
• phobic
• tremulous
• intimidated
• jumpy
• cowed
• uneasy
• unnerved
• shy
• jittery
• cautious
• dismayed
• daunted
• panic-stricken
• fearsome
• coward
• cowardly
• skittish
• chicken
• careful
• pusillanimous
• funky
• craven
• gutless
• unadventurous
• tremulant
• heedful
• prudent
• lily-livered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fearless
• unafraid
• daring
• adventurous
• brave
• spirited
• bold
• audacious
• courageous
• venturesome
• plucky
• spunky
• gutsy
• confident
• daredevil
• intrepid
• heroic
• hardy
• sure
• dashing
• valiant
• collected
• gallant
• composed
• stout
• unperturbed
• venturous
• assured
• valorous
• adventuresome
• stalwart
• sanguine
• cool
• undaunted
• resolute
• stouthearted
• dauntless
• manful
• lionhearted

frightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of frighten

as in scared

to strike with fear

around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scared
• terrified
• startled
• spooked
• shocked
• alarmed
• horrified
• shook
• panicked
• terrorized
• frighted
• affrighted
• worried
• amazed
• distracted
• scarified
• appalled
• disturbed
• jolted
• dismayed
• upset
• awed
• gave one the creeps
• astounded
• made one's flesh creep
• daunted
• unsettled
• unnerved
• disconcerted
• shook up
• dispirited
• perturbed
• distressed
• disquieted
• bowled over
• emasculated
• discomforted
• floored
• demoralized
• chilled
• discomposed
• psyched (out)
• unmanned
• undid
• unstrung

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassured
• assured
• comforted
• cheered
• consoled
• soothed
• encouraged
• inspired
• emboldened
• heartened
• solaced
• steeled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of frightened

Adjective

All asunder in the face and his eyes like a frightened bird’s? — Kevin Barry, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026

The capital’s numerous skyscrapers amplified the sensation of movement, sending frightened residents into streets and open spaces. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Verb

Viewers will come away convinced the world’s richest man mostly excels at self-promotion; they’ll also be frightened by the power he’s accrued. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026

But the more productive expansion has to do with character, especially as regards Carrie and her mother, who is not the deranged, abusive religious fanatic of previous versions, but an essentially loving parent frightened of the modern world. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026