fright 1 of 2

fright

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verb

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
Objects are often askew and out of frame, and everyday sounds like a toilet flush or blinds being pulled assume a low, staticky growl, as though frights fueled by childish imagination. Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025 In a second Instagram Stories post, the singer offered another look at the cake, featuring a large bust of a clicker, the fungal zombie-esque frights from the Last of Us video game franchise and HBO series of the same name. Gil MacIas, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
The perpetrators would acquire the vehicles via hire-purchase agreements, air fright them to Singapore with false papers and then ship them to Thailand. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024 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
Noun
  • The Twins approached the deadline in fourth place, six games under .500, 12 games out in the division, a fragile mess.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Scientists have spent decades puzzling over potatoes’ origin story, in large part because the plants’ genetics are a bit of a mess, Ek Han Tan, a plant geneticist at the University of Maine who wasn’t involved in the study, told me.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Concerns of fear growing in migrant communities Mora said this issue runs deep for him and others who work in immigration law.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 23 July 2025
  • Several top Trump administration officials sold off stock market holdings in the days leading up to the president’s announcements of sweeping tariffs that sparked fears of a global trade war and rattled financial markets.
    Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
  • What starts as a simple favor to keep her great-niece turns into a wild Halloween night filled with jump scares and pranks — but as usual, nothing frightens her more than bad manners and disrespect. Boo 2!
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • The pair, who tied the knot in 2017, play a dysfunctional codependent couple in horror film Together directed by Michael Shanks.
    Sharareh Drury, People.com, 22 July 2025
  • Hot off her Emmy nomination for her work in HBO’s The Penguin, Cristin Milioti is jumping into her next screen project, an independent horror thriller titled Buddy.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • Here are seven alternative activities to try that experts say can be just as effective: Research shows that expressive art therapy, like painting, may help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety, increase self-esteem, and improve mood by engaging areas of the brain that promote calm.
    Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
  • Poor gut health can, in turn, exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety.
    Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • There’s a thread of carbolic soap, though not enough to scare away those even moderately familiar with smoky Islay Scotch.
    David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Officials used horns, sirens and lights to scare the dogs away from Culbertson, according to KC Pet Project documents obtained by The Star.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Chuck Schumer is terrified, but that's the reality of where Democrats are today.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
  • The trauma of the killings left her terrified to close her eyes and sleeping in her mom’s bed for reassurance no one would harm her.
    Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • While this may seem obvious, logic often falls apart during moments of panic.
    Amy Shoenthal, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • The scary moment was met by immense panic among passengers.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 27 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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