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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frighten
They’ve been known to frighten children and ruin picnics, but there is an exception: butterflies.
—
Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
The goal of strengthening Washington’s presence should be to reassure partners that U.S. pressure is designed to create stronger alliances, not to pave the way for abandonment, as well as to ensure that resisting China is viable for countries that are frightened by Beijing.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The American Declaration of Independence and Constitution frightened monarchies and despots around the world without a single bullet or gunboat.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
The king of the forest was once frightened by the sound of a bull.
—John Nemec, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
The goal of strengthening Washington’s presence should be to reassure partners that U.S. pressure is designed to create stronger alliances, not to pave the way for abandonment, as well as to ensure that resisting China is viable for countries that are frightened by Beijing.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The American Declaration of Independence and Constitution frightened monarchies and despots around the world without a single bullet or gunboat.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
The king of the forest was once frightened by the sound of a bull.
—John Nemec, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frighten
Verb
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The employee said to not shoot the bear and advised him to call Public Safety to scare it away, officials said, adding that what likely attracted the bear to the man’s home were food items, including cat food and unclean grills.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2025
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This is the second bill DeSantis has signed in Florida on swatting, or making false police reports to scare victims by sending law enforcement to their home.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
21 May 2025
Verb
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He was covered in an oily substance, terrified, and wouldn’t eat.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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Because of the history of the farm, the workers were terrified by Guerra Ortiz’s threats, prosecutors said.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Sea pens can produce a bioluminescent glow when disturbed, flashing a greenish light to startle predators such as sea stars and nudibranchs.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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Long time viewers of 60 Minutes are understandably startled by these high level fireworks.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
8 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 3 Jun. 2025.
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