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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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fright
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
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
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
Noun
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Brit, trying to find her footing after the mess Kenya unleashed, opens up to the group.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
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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
Noun
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Orr’s study also found that even as silence about climate change can spiral into deeper fears of speaking out, speaking about the issue can drive a spiral toward further discussion and action — and that individual conversations can play a surprisingly large role.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
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In this moment, the key is to shift from a mindset of fear to one of strategy.—
Sam Dogen, Contributor,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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This has hallmarks of emotional abuse – non-physical behaviors meant to isolate, control and frighten.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Coogler transforms the faux-Faustian blues legend into an allegory of historical horror.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2025
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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
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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The house that the Americans strategically position themselves in is home to two families; there are occasional insert shots of family photos and trinkets, and at several points these families are shown cowering, terrified by what’s happening around them.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2025
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If the deportations don’t terrify you yet, consider this: Erik Prince, a close Trump ally and founder of the private military contractor Blackwater, is advancing a $25 billion proposal to the White House to build mass detention centers in order to deport some 12 million immigrants.—
Sandy Tolan,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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Bitcoin and other crypto tokens joined the rest of the market earlier this week in a downward plunge amid growing panic about Trump’s tariffs.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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