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
Meanwhile, in the real world, Netflix’s release strategy continues to frighten and confuse.
—
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 19 May 2025
His plan horrified and frightened most Arab leaders, not just on humanitarian grounds but because a large influx of Gazans would destabilize any Arab countries that took them in.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
Secretary of Leak Investigations Pete Hegseth parlayed a threat to Iran, delivered on X partly in all caps—nice touch, that’ll frighten them—into third place (20.4 percent).
—George Kalogerakis, Air Mail, 10 May 2025
They’ve been known to frighten children and ruin picnics, but there is an exception: butterflies.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 19 May 2025
His plan horrified and frightened most Arab leaders, not just on humanitarian grounds but because a large influx of Gazans would destabilize any Arab countries that took them in.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
Secretary of Leak Investigations Pete Hegseth parlayed a threat to Iran, delivered on X partly in all caps—nice touch, that’ll frighten them—into third place (20.4 percent).
—George Kalogerakis, Air Mail, 10 May 2025
They’ve been known to frighten children and ruin picnics, but there is an exception: butterflies.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten
Verb
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Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Verb
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He was terrified of a race under the current lines.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
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When neighbors are afraid to call the police, when workers fear going to their jobs, and when children are terrified their parents won’t come home — that’s not safety.—
Andrew Nietor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
Verb
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The device startles seals hanging around salmon run obstacles and drives them away from the buffet.—
Cheryl Katz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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The trailer opens with Kate (Moore) startled by the sudden appearance of her troubled daughter Claire (Sweeney) on her doorstep covered in rain and blood.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2025
Verb
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The ensuing action is gory and frightening — and even Wong got a little spooked by Hawkins.—
Eric Andersson,
People.com,
31 May 2025
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But recent air traffic control issues at Newark Liberty International Airport have spooked many travelers, Humphrey said.—
Harriet Baskas,
NBC news,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frighten. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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