as in afraid
filled with fear or dread
I am frightened of the dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scared
to strike with fear
around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frightened
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The hairs on the tail of the groundhog can stand straight up when the animal is frightened, the Fish and Wildlife Service said.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
And my father—lovable but imposing, a strapping six feet three inches tall with a thick, bristly mustache and a rumbling Sergeant Schultz accent that frightened my friends half to death—loved to tell stories.
—CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightened
Adjective
Both release a strong spray, or musk, when frightened.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The hairs on the tail of the groundhog can stand straight up when the animal is frightened, the Fish and Wildlife Service said.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
While some passengers were said to have been frightened and crying, witnesses to the crash didn’t immediately believe there were any serious injuries.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
And my father—lovable but imposing, a strapping six feet three inches tall with a thick, bristly mustache and a rumbling Sergeant Schultz accent that frightened my friends half to death—loved to tell stories.
—CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightened
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightened
Adjective
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What happens to the funding for buses and light rail when people are afraid to ride them, and no one buys bus tickets?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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Too Much Wall Art Wall art is a great way to make a space feel more complete, but don't be afraid to leave some blank space here and there.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That scream likely scared off the man who showed no signs of backing off.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Broadly, more IPOs are expected this year, thanks to interest rate cuts and a large backlog of companies that have been scared off by market volatility and recession fears.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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The bodycam video was an eye-opening look at the frightening aftermath of the Brown campus shooting when police were searching room-by-room for the suspect, trying to comfort and care for terrified students, and trying to coordinate with campus police to get past locked doors.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Twyla Tharp’s ballet Push Comes to Shove, which premiered in 1976, startled and delighted audiences with its coy, self-referential humor, and its flirtation with popular dance styles such as jazz and tango.—
Sara Krolewski,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
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After several chest compressions, Briana startled awake and cried.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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You’re just horrified at what those kinds of impacts have.—
Andrew Dampf,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
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You’re just horrified at what those kinds of impacts have.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But investors were spooked and dumped shares in legal and financial software and services companies.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The new model’s research and analysis abilities are likely what spooked financial services investors on Friday.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Others in Guojun’s orbit were more alarmed.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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This year's software stock sell-off, which accelerated Tuesday, has alarmed investors, traders and analysts who worry the slide has further to go.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … POLITICS 'CIVICS LESSON’ — Republican shocked after anti-ICE sheriff stumped by basic government question.—
,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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Many would be shocked to realize that the NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny was very unlikely motivated by politics.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightened. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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