as in messes
something unpleasant to look at
people in our neighborhood think that that orange and green office building is a hideous fright
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scares
to strike with fear
a ghastly sight that would fright even the most stouthearted soul
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 frights
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 June 2026
Copyright 2025, all frights reserved.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Dark, eerie, and paranoid (for good reason), the eight-episode season shifts back and forth from the casual grimness of an unwelcoming reality to the shocking frights of a stoner’s worst nightmare (the latter of which is shrewdly motivated by Rachel regularly smoking pot).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2026
Many movies tried to recreate its magic mixture, including some of its own sequels, but few achieved the merry concoction of frights, gore, and giggles that Craven handled so masterfully.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
But the fun, the frights, and the sense of being among fellow enthusiasts fluent in Slasher 101 and in on the jokes has been bled out of this.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
There are no giant frights or dynamic action sequences, and the slow pacing makes the film feel at times punishingly long.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026
Knott’s has unveiled its annual Seasons of Fun calendar that includes events dedicated to Peanuts characters, Boysenberry treats, summertime barbecues, Halloween frights and Christmas cheer.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
Attendees will also get to enjoy the 12 pinball machines, racing games, retro games, giant centipede, air hockey, Guitar Hero, hoops, Skee Ball and so much on the night of frights.
—Avidxchange Music Factory, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
People went opening weekend to experience the frights in a communal setting.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 June 2026
Copyright 2025, all frights reserved.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Dark, eerie, and paranoid (for good reason), the eight-episode season shifts back and forth from the casual grimness of an unwelcoming reality to the shocking frights of a stoner’s worst nightmare (the latter of which is shrewdly motivated by Rachel regularly smoking pot).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2026
Many movies tried to recreate its magic mixture, including some of its own sequels, but few achieved the merry concoction of frights, gore, and giggles that Craven handled so masterfully.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
But the fun, the frights, and the sense of being among fellow enthusiasts fluent in Slasher 101 and in on the jokes has been bled out of this.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
There are no giant frights or dynamic action sequences, and the slow pacing makes the film feel at times punishingly long.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026
Knott’s has unveiled its annual Seasons of Fun calendar that includes events dedicated to Peanuts characters, Boysenberry treats, summertime barbecues, Halloween frights and Christmas cheer.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
Attendees will also get to enjoy the 12 pinball machines, racing games, retro games, giant centipede, air hockey, Guitar Hero, hoops, Skee Ball and so much on the night of frights.
—Avidxchange Music Factory, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frights
Noun
-
Family road trips also create constant exposure to food crumbs, drink spills, pet hair, and everyday messes that are difficult to avoid on long drives.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 May 2026
-
Tackling these chores on a regular basis can prevent messes from getting out of hand and reduce allergens.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Gather five of the most relevant comedians working today and ask what scares them most, and the answers vary.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
-
Maybe the strait’s name—Death’s Door—scares them off.—
Charles Usher,
Midwest Living,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Upon entering, the pair discover the horrors of bloody intestines, fingernails and a human heart boiling on the stove.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
28 May 2026
-
Their childhood, for all its horrors, felt at times like the easy part.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
But the future Hall of Famer is coming off ACL surgery, might lack mobility, and has a receiving corps that frightens nobody.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
-
The piercing sunlight frightens her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Boise nights are getting shorter in June, but they’re still filled with dazzling celestial sights.—
Hali Smith
June 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
-
Construction is already underway at two data center sites in Hoffman Estates, and a data center developer has set its sights on a third facility.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Frankly, the thought of being beaten by the subscribers terrifies me.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Aubry Bracco is the kind of player who terrifies a certain (male) demographic of Survivor alumni.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frights. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
