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 Last Friday, the artist Pink published a lengthy criticism of Macklemore’s on-stage polemic, writing that his comments and use of violent wartime imagery had frightened many Jewish people, including her. — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 16 Sep. 2026 However, Stone told Bialik that she was not frightened by the encounter. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026 The prospect of Sean Steur or Lewis Hall — whose contract situation Wilson refused to be drawn on, despite being asked three times — leaving is not something which frightens the hierarchy. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Examples of non-compliant headgear/face coverings include inappropriate face paint, offensive prosthetics, make up or masks intended to frighten, and fursuits. — Renee Anderson, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frighten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten

Verb

There are a few other helpful features, such as two-way talk to speak with visitors on the other side of your door, as well as a siren that can scare away any unwanted parties.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
More than anything, this adaptation feels scared of being too unlikable or scaring anyone too much.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

To build a stealthy ocean-monitoring platform for the Office of Naval Research, Professor Shepherd needed a propulsion system that would not startle marine life.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
As if triggered by this thought, the door buzzed itself open, startling the pigeons from wire to wing, a grand scattering.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of startle

Verb

Alexis sees this, gets spooked, and goes and tells Linnea and Sharonda that Ana is gunning for them.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
The incident spooked industry researchers and executives, including Anthropic's Amodei, who referenced it in his proposal for a slowdown.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of spook

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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of frighten

verb

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