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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of frightened
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Growers reported a drop in workers showing up to their jobs, and advocacy groups saw a surge of frightened families show up to legal workshops on how to protect themselves against deportation.
—Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
When Julia arrived with a can of cat food, the first kitten had already been adopted, but the second—a frightened and feisty tabby—was still there.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
For the 34th time in two years cops have been called by frightened neighbors or Hollis herself to quell the volcanic quarrels inside Peppermill Apartments unit B-312.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for frightened 
Adjective
Bryan Velazquez, a Guatemalan citizen, told BBC News that people traveling are frightened of Trump's new immigration policies.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Growers reported a drop in workers showing up to their jobs, and advocacy groups saw a surge of frightened families show up to legal workshops on how to protect themselves against deportation.
—Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
When Julia arrived with a can of cat food, the first kitten had already been adopted, but the second—a frightened and feisty tabby—was still there.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
For the 34th time in two years cops have been called by frightened neighbors or Hollis herself to quell the volcanic quarrels inside Peppermill Apartments unit B-312.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for frightened
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightened
Adjective
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Moving safely from the clouds to this perch required a steep angle, a dexterous pilot, and passengers more afraid of missing the film festival than of death upon impact.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
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That’s what happens often with folks who are afraid to take that step, to start something new or scary.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
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My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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For the past month, California resident Adriana, who asked to be identified by only her first name for privacy reasons, has been delivering food to families too scared to leave their homes.—
Kiara Alfonseca,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2025
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Ever since Donald Trump won the presidential election last November, kids around the country have been scared about what his promise of mass deportations might mean for them and their classmates.—
Vox Staff,
Vox,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Thus, there’s little sense in getting spooked in the pre-Christmas months; when ad rates are negligible, the cost of doling out any necessary audience deficiency units isn’t exactly going to break the bank.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
27 Dec. 2024
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The points deductions given to Everton and Nottingham Forest last season seem to have also spooked clubs into being extra cautious around PSR.—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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People are very alarmed here and especially overseas.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2025
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Reed said he was briefed ahead of the hearing and was alarmed that investigators didn't contact critical witnesses and whistleblowers.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Context The incident is the latest in series of high-profile crimes on New York subway trains that have shocked the city.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
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And the art world is no different — some artists are using it to help generate work, and others are shocked by its capabilities.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Afghan nationals who had worked with the United States or NATO forces were particularly fearful of reprisals from the Taliban.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN,
6 Feb. 2025
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For instance, things like the strict use of the belt and different things about not being able to make mistakes and being very hyper cautious and aware for us and fearful for us.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near frightened
Cite this Entry
“Frightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightened. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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