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.
Synonyms
Examples of frighten in a Sentence
The story really frightened me.
The child was badly frightened by the mask.
Recent Examples on the Web
But Hanks does commendable supporting work as a nerdy FBI agent on Abagnale’s trail — essentially playing the sort of conventional square whose mediocre life frightens the restless, rootless Abagnale.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
There is little evidence wolves frighten elk merely by their presence, the authors say.
—Byvirginia Morell, science.org, 23 Oct. 2024
This is—of course—true for the working mom, who perhaps frightens people with her ability to juggle both motherhood and work.
—Sasha Brown-Worsham, Parents, 26 Sep. 2024
Like the film itself, Hanks is no-nonsense as a commander who reveals little about himself between barking orders and offering steely words of encouragement to the inexperienced, frightened young men around him.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for frighten 
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.
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
There is little evidence wolves frighten elk merely by their presence, the authors say.
—Byvirginia Morell, science.org, 23 Oct. 2024
This is—of course—true for the working mom, who perhaps frightens people with her ability to juggle both motherhood and work.
—Sasha Brown-Worsham, Parents, 26 Sep. 2024
Like the film itself, Hanks is no-nonsense as a commander who reveals little about himself between barking orders and offering steely words of encouragement to the inexperienced, frightened young men around him.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for frighten
Dictionary Entries Near frighten
Cite this Entry
“Frighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frighten. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share