as in to scare
to strike with fear
around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in terrifying
causing fear
a truly frightening movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scaring
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
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Recent Examples of frighten
Elizabeth Palmer, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Not to frighten trainees, but to ground their learning in real-world examples.
—Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
These are frightening times for sure, but the United States must never surrender its civil liberties.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2026
Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Verb
The post-protest reprisals are meant to frighten people into silence.
—Elizabeth Palmer, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Not to frighten trainees, but to ground their learning in real-world examples.
—Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The director emphasizes that in his childhood environment, spirits weren’t treated as frightening.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
These are frightening times for sure, but the United States must never surrender its civil liberties.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten
Adjective
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Pregnancy and birth carry its own battles and terrifying statistics.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The editorial board then throws in the new scare tactic for good measure at the end, claiming that there is some terrifying epidemic of puking, screaming and hospitalizations as the result of THC use (relying on spotty data, none of which has been linked to THC beverages).—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Director Marianna Bassham loves working on pieces that are a bit scary.—
Courtney Cole,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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George Price wasn’t some scary underworld figure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But Isbell runs the race on a stark and formidable solo album and a batting average of six wins for eight nods (prior to this year’s three more).—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
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Van Scoyoc and Cohen will be a formidable one-two duo for Palos Verdes.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The killing and execution of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the horrible lies perpetuated by this government are abhorrent.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
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Someone should start talking about improving the state’s horrible inability to attract fellow Americans.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Huw is also a terrible planner, placing himself in dangerous situations for no discernible reason, refusing to ask for help or call the police at times when calling the police is the most glaringly obvious move, and generally not communicating with anyone.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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At age 55, Riggle once suffered through decades of heartbreak and terrible Chiefs teams.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Because a microneedle infusion device can feel more intimidating than a simple serum, Mon Lumière prioritizes education and reassurance.—
William Jones
January 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
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Closet organization is often seen as an intimidating, hours-long task that can feel redundant once the mess piles back up again.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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