fright 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrīt How to pronounce fright (audio)
Definition of frightnext
1
as in mess
something unpleasant to look at people in our neighborhood think that that orange and green office building is a hideous fright

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger the earthquake so filled me with fright that I still have trouble sleeping

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fright

2 of 2

verb

as in to scare
to strike with fear a ghastly sight that would fright even the most stouthearted soul

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fright distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fright are alarm, dread, fear, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When is it sensible to use alarm instead of fright?

In some situations, the words alarm and fright are roughly equivalent. However, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

In what contexts can dread take the place of fright?

The words dread and fright can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When can fear be used instead of fright?

The synonyms fear and fright are sometimes interchangeable, but fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When could panic be used to replace fright?

The meanings of panic and fright largely overlap; however, panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is terror a more appropriate choice than fright?

Although the words terror and fright have much in common, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How are the words trepidation and dread related as synonyms of fright?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

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 fright
Noun
Isabella Esler is having the fright of her life on Broadway. —Emily Burns, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025 At that scale, chocolate prices hit with much more of a fright. —Alina Selyukh, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
For anyone into sheer terror with a side of entertainment, streaming services like Shudder can fright and delight. —Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for fright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fright
  1. mess
  2. fear
  3. scare
  4. horror
  5. anxiety
  6. frighten
  7. terrify
  8. panic
Noun
  • Specifically, the bench is a dysfunctional mess.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
  • And now we’re stuck having to clean up this mess.
    — Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of mess
Noun
  • The killings of Good and Pretti sparked further fear and backlash.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Twelve years after an NFL game was first shown on television in a period of fear of war and triumph in war, the championship game itself was broadcast across the country for the first time.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of fear
Verb
  • Why this message is designed to scare This scam relies on presentation, not accuracy.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • That kind of stuff is fun, [and] doesn’t scare me too much.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of scare
Noun
  • Thompson’s death was greeted with horror and sympathy for the victim’s family but also with disturbingly widespread support for the assassin—fueled by outrage at insurers, whom many fault for blocking medical care.
    — Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
  • There is a melding of genres, of thriller, of coming of age, of horror, of action.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of horror
Noun
  • Our cousins just over the border in Wisconsin kept up a steady stream of taunts, trash-talking the Bears and causing us all a lot of anxiety as the minutes ticked by.
    — Erendira Rendon, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Experts say exercise during pregnancy and after birth can help lower anxiety, improve sleep, and boost your mood.
    — Hannah Silverman, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of anxiety
Verb
  • Konstantin, 4, a sociable boy, is often frightened by loud noises and guards, his parents said.
    — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Like the 1987 Kurt Vonnegut novel from which the restaurant took its name, Bluebeard encourages guests to drop their guard, surround themselves with other people and try something that frightens them a little.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • Quote of the week Labour seem to be mystified and terrified of the bond market in equal proportions.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Pearl asks Sam the changeling son, appropriately terrified by the terms of such salvation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of terrify
Noun
  • January’s nonfarm payrolls report and consumer price index, set to hit screens days after their original release dates , could re-instill confidence in the market following a recent bout of panic selling.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
  • That level of panic is premature, experts say.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of panic

Browse Nearby Words

frigates
fright
frighted
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Cite this Entry

“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fright

Nglish: Translation of fright for Spanish Speakers

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