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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Recent Examples of frighten
But their return has also angered and frightened livestock farmers and others in rural communities who are having to learn to live alongside these once nearly-extinct creatures.
—
Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 July 2025
But on Friday night, the booms and blasts of celebratory fireworks appear to have frightened them away.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
The debate unfolded as Santa Ana grapples with what some councilmembers described as the visible impact of immigration enforcement: empty bus stops, empty car washes, grocery stores without customers and frightened residents.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 3 July 2025
When a crew member called out for volunteers, the two raced into the water and pretended to panic for a scene in which two kids frighten swimmers using a cardboard fin.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 July 2025
But on Friday night, the booms and blasts of celebratory fireworks appear to have frightened them away.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
The debate unfolded as Santa Ana grapples with what some councilmembers described as the visible impact of immigration enforcement: empty bus stops, empty car washes, grocery stores without customers and frightened residents.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 3 July 2025
When a crew member called out for volunteers, the two raced into the water and pretended to panic for a scene in which two kids frighten swimmers using a cardboard fin.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten
Verb
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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
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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
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Chuck Schumer is terrified, but that's the reality of where Democrats are today.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
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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
Verb
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He remains easily startled by loud noises, avoids direct eye contact, and is wary of new visitors.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 July 2025
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The formidable climb of YouTube in audience and influence has indeed startled the pop culture universe.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Many people look confident when delivering their content and downright spooked when thrown a question from the audience.—
Jay Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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Private investors and foreign companies aren’t spooked either.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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