FRIGHTENED Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

frightened 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrī-tᵊnd

Definition of frightened

as in afraid

filled with fear or dread I am frightened of the dark

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frightened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of frighten

as in scared

to strike with fear around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 frightened

Adjective

The extent of harm, after all, can be misjudged by those suffering it, and complaints are not always offered by the frightened captive. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 During her own pregnancy, Panettiere recalled becoming frightened when an OB-GYN told her that her baby’s arms and legs did not appear to be growing as quickly as the rest of her body. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

Before signing off, the teenager thanks her — the exchange calmed her down after Google search results frightened her. — Jennifer Karlin, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026 Fig, an Australian shepherd, ran away from home after getting frightened by July Fourth fireworks. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for frightened

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightened

Adjective

The most impressive trick Paranormal Activity pulls off is making an entire theater — devotees and newcomers alike — afraid to look away, and giving them one hell of a good time while doing it.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
What’s left is a vaguely political YouTube series afraid of its own tail, incapable of being actually relatable and too cowardly to own the batshit truths of these people’s lives.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of afraid

Adjective

Instead, coaches have become more and more terrified through the years of seeing their players getting hurt during largely meaningless games in August.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Tempe police ultimately convinced the couple, who were initially too terrified to report the incident, to share what had happened to them, documents said.

— Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrified

Verb

Of those who were injured, officials said that many were hurt while falling down or hitting themselves against furniture after being startled by the earthquake while sleeping.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026
There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of a super restful sleep cycle, whether you are startled by the neighbor’s dog or an unwanted text message.

— Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of startled

Verb

Know More Saudi Arabia has been working on several measures in a bid to boost trading volumes on the stock exchange and reenergize new stock listings that had been faltering even before the Iran war spooked investors.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Ukraine’s neighbors are on alert Russia’s relentless onslaught has spooked other European countries, especially those bordering Ukraine, which fear spreading attacks from Moscow.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of spooked

Adjective

The proposal to paint the building has alarmed preservationists, architects, historians and others who argue that granite is not meant to be painted and that paint would trap moisture and degrade the stone.

— Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Chan's death comes after celebrity blogger Perez Hilton also alarmed fans on a TikTok livestream when police were called to his home after reports of self-harm.

— Moises Mendez II, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of alarmed

Verb

In 1974, the New York City music scene was shocked into consciousness by the violently new and raw sound of a band of misfits from Queens called the Ramones.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
The family's decision to return home to Harry's home country after six years in California shocked both sides of the Atlantic, sparking a range of reactions from confusion to celebration.

— Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of shocked

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frighten

frightened

frightening

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“Frightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightened. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of frightened

adjective

verb

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