frightened; frightening
ˈfrī-tᵊn-iŋ 
ˈfrīt-niŋ
1
: to make afraid : terrify
The movie scene frightened the child.
2
: to drive or force by frightening
frightened the boy into confessing
: to become frightened
She doesn't frighten easily.
Synonyms
Examples of frighten in a Sentence
The story really frightened me.
The child was badly frightened by the mask.
Recent Examples on the Web
Like the film itself, Hanks is no-nonsense as a commander who reveals little about himself between barking orders and offering steely words of encouragement to the inexperienced, frightened young men around him.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
Researchers estimate that in the United States, wildfire smoke claims 5,000 to 15,000 lives each year — yet these deaths don’t get attention because there is no dramatic footage of flames to frighten us.
—Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2024
Uncertain futures Another striking number from the study was that over three-fourths of respondents said the future frightened them, and the majority said their concerns are affecting their life decisions such as where to live or whether to have children.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2024
The game, available on Steam, utilizes jump scares and other creepy elements to frighten players.
—The Indianapolis Star, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for frighten 
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Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
Researchers estimate that in the United States, wildfire smoke claims 5,000 to 15,000 lives each year — yet these deaths don’t get attention because there is no dramatic footage of flames to frighten us.
—Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2024
Uncertain futures Another striking number from the study was that over three-fourths of respondents said the future frightened them, and the majority said their concerns are affecting their life decisions such as where to live or whether to have children.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2024
The game, available on Steam, utilizes jump scares and other creepy elements to frighten players.
—The Indianapolis Star, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for frighten
Dictionary Entries Near frighten
Cite this Entry
“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frighten. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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