fright 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrīt How to pronounce fright (audio)
Definition of frightnext
1
as in mess
something unpleasant to look at people in our neighborhood think that that orange and green office building is a hideous fright

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger the earthquake so filled me with fright that I still have trouble sleeping

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fright

2 of 2

verb

as in to frighten
to strike with fear a ghastly sight that would fright even the most stouthearted soul

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fright distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fright are alarm, dread, fear, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When is it sensible to use alarm instead of fright?

In some situations, the words alarm and fright are roughly equivalent. However, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

In what contexts can dread take the place of fright?

The words dread and fright can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When can fear be used instead of fright?

The synonyms fear and fright are sometimes interchangeable, but fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When could panic be used to replace fright?

The meanings of panic and fright largely overlap; however, panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is terror a more appropriate choice than fright?

Although the words terror and fright have much in common, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How are the words trepidation and dread related as synonyms of fright?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fright
Noun
It’s set during a live broadcast of a fictional late-night ’70s show whose affable host, Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), conjures more fun than frights. —Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2024 The main cast gets the feel and tone of what Wilson has wrought, both the frights and the frivolity. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
The perpetrators would acquire the vehicles via hire-purchase agreements, air fright them to Singapore with false papers and then ship them to Thailand. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024 For anyone into sheer terror with a side of entertainment, streaming services like Shudder can fright and delight. —Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for fright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fright
  1. mess
  2. fear
  3. frighten
  4. horror
  5. anxiety
  6. scare
  7. terrify
  8. panic
Noun
  • Brit, trying to find her footing after the mess Kenya unleashed, opens up to the group.
    — Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
  • If the mess is semi-solid, use a sturdy piece of cardboard, a paper plate, or another flat surface, as a scoop.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of mess
Noun
  • Hayes said he’s had to take a leave of absence from his job over the fear of what might happen to his family.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The rare encounter highlights accelerating efforts by two longtime regional rivals to stabilize relations amid mounting fears of broader conflict, especially with tensions flaring across Gaza, Syria, and the Red Sea, as Washington's pressure grows on Iran's proxy in the Middle East.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of fear
Verb
  • Two years ago, several small-business owners testified to a legislative committee that Americans with Disabilities Act plaintiffs’ lawyers filed spurious complaints, alleging what appeared to be a random list of violations in an attempt to frighten and intimidate the business owner.
    — Mark Hillman, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
  • This has hallmarks of emotional abuse – non-physical behaviors meant to isolate, control and frighten.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of frighten
Noun
  • Coogler transforms the faux-Faustian blues legend into an allegory of historical horror.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Free League Publishing put out an official Alien Role Playing Game in December of 2019 as part of a fresh batch of space horror games.
    — Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of horror
Noun
  • Consumer sentiment fell sharply in April, marking the fourth consecutive month of declines, as an intensifying trade war fueled anxiety over American jobs and rising inflation.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Is loyalty to an old friend and/or anxiety about having a kid reason enough to spend a day or two away from a wife who could go into labor at any minute?
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of anxiety
Verb
  • The Missouri product is a solid route-runner with sure hands, but there are some off-field concerns that could scare teams away.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
  • As the Trump administration arbitrarily revokes and denies student visas, and xenophobic rhetoric scares away potential foreigners, agencies specializing in recruiting students from abroad are facing a sharp downturn.
    — Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of scare
Verb
  • Robbins’ parents were terrified that the school was using the laptop to spy on their son and other students (including their daughter Paige).
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The thought of dying without finding out what happened to her son terrifies Petrone.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of terrify
Noun
  • Trump faces growing pushback from his own party The markets were still in a panic on Monday when an unverified report circulated that the president was considering a 90-day pause on the tariffs.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Two more came in July of 2002, when panic over corporate fraud set-off by Enron’s collapse the year before, finally eased.
    — Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of panic

Browse Nearby Words

frigates
fright
frighted
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Cite this Entry

“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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