frightened 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrī-tᵊnd How to pronounce frightened (audio)
Definition of frightenednext
as in afraid
filled with fear or dread I am frightened of the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 frightened
Adjective
His last three cutter-drones raced past the frightened spawn siblings to the wall. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 June 2026 Commuters felt prolonged shaking as trains were halted for safety checks, classes were canceled in one coastal town, and frightened schoolchildren were sent home after the temblor struck offshore. — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
Verb
What frightened me most was what might happen to my children. — Monica Rodriguez-Aguilera, New York Daily News, 15 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 frightened
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightened
  1. afraid
  2. scared
  3. terrified
  4. startled
  5. horrified
  6. spooked
  7. alarmed
  8. shocked
Adjective
  • Sometimes in big matches, being afraid of taking a risk is the riskiest strategy of all.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Pay attention to the wash and cut, and don’t be afraid to ditch your plain blue jeans for bolder alternatives.
    — India Roby, Glamour, 15 July 2026
Definition of afraid
Verb
  • Running into the real Santosh again amid that backdrop, Juyal asked him if the danger scared him.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 July 2026
  • Jefferies names it as a top pick, and the margin dip that scared investors is a temporary cost of its Armis acquisition that management expects to reverse in 2027.
    — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • On the 14th floor, three of them broke into Ojeda’s apartment, handcuffed him in front of his terrified wife and son, and dragged him out, according to court documents and security video.
    — Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 10 July 2026
  • Outrage continues to grow after a drone was reported stalking a terrified wild mustang on North Carolina’s northern Outer Banks.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
Definition of terrified
Verb
  • The owner was reportedly startled and dropped the leash before the two animals fought, DEEP officials said.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
  • Pochettino’s sources of American sports culture inspiration There were some aspects of American culture, and specifically American sports culture, that clearly startled Pochettino.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of startled
Adjective
  • In one early scene, a horrified Pam stares into her bathroom mirror, covered head to toe in blood.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
  • The first police officer on the scene quickly ran back to the station for help, while neighbors calmed the horrified Lizzie.
    — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 June 2026
Definition of horrified
Verb
  • These invectives evidently haven’t spooked Son, who once predicted that AI superintelligence would exist by 2035.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 July 2026
  • In addition, a few post-IPO financial moves further spooked investors.
    — Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of spooked
Adjective
  • Elsewhere alarmed Palestinian farmers—witnessing the growing trench tearing them away from their lands—surround the vehicles.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
  • But city officials don’t seem alarmed, saying that the project’s size was bound to change, and that the project is still aligned with the city code.
    — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Definition of alarmed
Verb
  • But Muñoz was shocked to learn that many Mexicans fear that the private collection’s future in Mexico may be in doubt.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • In fact, McKillips says he wouldn’t be shocked if the sport’s next breakout star first picked up a club at one of the company’s driving ranges instead of a country club.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Definition of shocked

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frightened
frightening
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Cite this Entry

“Frightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightened. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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