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
Thousands of residents and visitors have left Santorini, frightened by the earthquakes measuring between magnitude 3 and magnitude 5 in the area since the weekend.
—
Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
President Trump did no one any favors and his irresponsible accusations were meant to confuse and spread an unfounded conspiracy while both trying to score political points as well as frighten the flying public needlessly.
—Michael B. Teiger, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2025
That, in turn, frightens most dissenters and distracts the public when Putin fails to fulfill the economic promises he’s made.
—Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
In the security footage, which amassed over 1.2 million views, one cat ran up the stairs frightened after hearing a commotion coming in the closet under the stairs.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
President Trump did no one any favors and his irresponsible accusations were meant to confuse and spread an unfounded conspiracy while both trying to score political points as well as frighten the flying public needlessly.
—Michael B. Teiger, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2025
That, in turn, frightens most dissenters and distracts the public when Putin fails to fulfill the economic promises he’s made.
—Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
In the security footage, which amassed over 1.2 million views, one cat ran up the stairs frightened after hearing a commotion coming in the closet under the stairs.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten
Verb
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In 2023, a bear barged into a bakery in Avon, scared employees and helped itself to 60 cupcakes before ambling away.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2025
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The Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in South Florida claims that that state and federal anti-LGBTQ policies have siphoned off the institution’s operating budget and scared off corporate investors, leaving the museum in financial peril.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On the military plane ride from California to Panama, Mona, a 32-year-old Iranian Christian convert, said her 8-year-old son cried, terrified to see his parents shackled.—
Julie Turkewitz,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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However, the exhibit’s approach is just the opposite of Jackson’s — not to terrify moviegoers, but rather to demystify the eight-legged animals by fostering curiosity and empathy.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Though friendly toward her until that moment, Tembo was startled by the noise.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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But when Freed walked away, the elk got startled and ran into a gully full of snow.—
The Steamboat Pilot,
The Denver Post,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Democratic donors were spooked, and money flowed to the only spot left—competitive House races.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
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Gold prices have risen in recent weeks thanks to the asset’s safe-haven status, with investors spooked by Trump’s tariff plans.—
Olesya Dmitracova,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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