1
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
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
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
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
7 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
See All Example Sentences for fright
Noun
The real fright, though, came midway through that final frame, when star center Dylan Larkin went down in a heap after his skate seemed to catch awkwardly on the ice.
—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
7 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
See All Example Sentences for fright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fright
Noun
-
The reason can be explained by a Japanese proverb about the importance of leaving no mess.
-
Clean high-traffic areas or rooms where pets and kids tend to cause messes more frequently.
Noun
-
Bell also spoke of the importance of prioritizing communication in their relationship — especially during moments of fear or insecurity.
-
Our country right now is mired in a level of bullying and intolerance that, for some, might feed their fears, but won’t feed their family.
Verb
-
There was one American flag sign lit, with some storefront decor gleaming red, white and blue, but the heat seemingly scared most away from celebrating July 4 before Saturday's big day.
-
Johnson says Monday was her first time on the Wild Mouse attraction; however, the experience did not scare her away from the park.
Noun
-
Wingate weaves this historical horror with a modern-day mystery, illustrating the lasting trauma of children stolen for profit and the unbreakable bond of blood.
-
Now, will Hollywood actually learn anything from the success of the low-budget horror flick?
Noun
-
And at times members of the congregation thank her and others for casting aside those anxieties and keeping this place going.
-
That uncertainty allows anxiety to grow because your brain naturally wants answers that do not yet exist.
Verb
-
At the time of writing, as the Marine Traffic map shows, tanker traffic is barely moving through the Strait, and many ships, unable to obtain insurance or with their owners frightened at the level of risk involved, are refusing to advance.
-
But because the president has frightened Congress, Congress doesn’t raise its voice when the president puts his Albert Speer–like building project, or intends to, on Congress’s land.
Noun
-
The resulting anxiety and panic are an unfortunate side effect of a banner year for fireworks shows.
-
Sandy has taken flight, but not without sending eagle-eyed viewers of the Friends of Big Bear Valley eagle nest cam into a Sunday-morning panic.
Verb
-
Should Hentges have chosen unemployment instead of a contract because the Giants play in San Francisco and their organization is terrified of people like Slusser?
-
While the Fourth of July can be a ton of fun, loud fireworks and firecrackers can terrify pets — and concern their owners.
Cite this Entry
“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
