frightened; frightening
ˈfrī-tᵊn-iŋ 
ˈfrīt-niŋ
1
: to make afraid : terrify
The movie scene frightened the child.
2
: to drive or force by frightening
frightened the boy into confessing
: to become frightened
She doesn't frighten easily.
Examples of frighten in a Sentence
The story really frightened me.
The child was badly frightened by the mask.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some impersonated tax officers to frighten British pensioners into draining their life savings into suspicious bank accounts; others peddled irresistible student loan offers to American high schoolers.
—
Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
When the Maitlands' attempts to frighten the Deetzes away fail miserably, Barbara and Adam turn to the mysterious and mischievous Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to rid them of the living.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Homelessness While Americans are frightened by many things and events, most are not fearful of tent camps or homeless people.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Around 100 pairs were found abandoned on the roof, perhaps due to the thieves being frightened away, Sheriff John Budensiek said at the news conference.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
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Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
When the Maitlands' attempts to frighten the Deetzes away fail miserably, Barbara and Adam turn to the mysterious and mischievous Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to rid them of the living.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Homelessness While Americans are frightened by many things and events, most are not fearful of tent camps or homeless people.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Around 100 pairs were found abandoned on the roof, perhaps due to the thieves being frightened away, Sheriff John Budensiek said at the news conference.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Cite this Entry
“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frighten. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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