as in afraid
filled with fear or dread
I am frightened of the dark
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of frightened
Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Inside, the staff scrambles for cover and a frightened woman and child are seen hiding behind a buffet counter.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
Staying apolitical in his work, Lynch expressed the personal idiosyncrasy that reflected his upbringing in Midwest America (born in Missoula, Mont., and of Finnish-Danish heritage) as well as his private, frightened knowledge of national terror.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
And this week, there’s a very nice sequence in which Matty walks a frightened Zoey, step-by-step, through what to expect when she gets arrested.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightened
Adjective
Among the frightened students was 9-year-old Niles Thompson, who, in a desperate attempt to escape the flames, lept from a second-story window.
—Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Inside, the staff scrambles for cover and a frightened woman and child are seen hiding behind a buffet counter.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
Staying apolitical in his work, Lynch expressed the personal idiosyncrasy that reflected his upbringing in Midwest America (born in Missoula, Mont., and of Finnish-Danish heritage) as well as his private, frightened knowledge of national terror.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
And this week, there’s a very nice sequence in which Matty walks a frightened Zoey, step-by-step, through what to expect when she gets arrested.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightened
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightened
Adjective
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Give it up for the queen of not being afraid to reference or not reference (but mostly reference).—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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If you’re seated at a gate where the next flight doesn’t leave for six hours, don’t be afraid to post up and get comfy.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
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My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Three minors heard gunfire and believed they had been fired at, and were scared of being shot, wrote Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Walls.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Apr. 2025
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For those who have been scared to shift away from grays and creams, these shades offer an ideal compromise.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Thus, there’s little sense in getting spooked in the pre-Christmas months; when ad rates are negligible, the cost of doling out any necessary audience deficiency units isn’t exactly going to break the bank.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
27 Dec. 2024
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The points deductions given to Everton and Nottingham Forest last season seem to have also spooked clubs into being extra cautious around PSR.—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Black is the ideal guy for the job here, screaming in agony while applying the nightmare product, and using Chester Cheetah as the alarmed straight man is inspired.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2025
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Cena's unprovoked assault, following a bizarre accusation, showcased a volatile side, prompting Jim Ross's alarmed reaction.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Context The incident is the latest in series of high-profile crimes on New York subway trains that have shocked the city.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
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And the art world is no different — some artists are using it to help generate work, and others are shocked by its capabilities.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Van Hollen added that Abrego Garcia was held in a cell with 25 other people and fearful of other prisoners who taunted him.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2025
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His family, angry and fearful, even staged an intervention to force the former teetotaler into rehab.—
Gary Goldstein,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightened. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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