fright 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrīt How to pronounce fright (audio)
Definition of frightnext
1
as in mess
something unpleasant to look at people in our neighborhood think that that orange and green office building is a hideous fright

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fright

2 of 2

verb

as in to frighten
to strike with fear a ghastly sight that would fright even the most stouthearted soul

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fright distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fright are alarm, dread, fear, panic, terror, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

When is it sensible to use alarm instead of fright?

In some situations, the words alarm and fright are roughly equivalent. However, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

In what contexts can dread take the place of fright?

The words dread and fright can be used in similar contexts, but dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When can fear be used instead of fright?

The synonyms fear and fright are sometimes interchangeable, but fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

When could panic be used to replace fright?

The meanings of panic and fright largely overlap; however, panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

When is terror a more appropriate choice than fright?

Although the words terror and fright have much in common, terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

How are the words trepidation and dread related as synonyms of fright?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of 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
  1. mess
  2. fear
  3. frighten
  4. horror
  5. anxiety
  6. scare
  7. terrify
  8. panic
Noun
  • With all pieces enclosed under a sturdy acrylic cover, there’s no mess or lost parts.
    — Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 10 Mar. 2025
  • After all, the door can be shut to disguise the mess.
    — Shea Simmons, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of mess
Noun
  • The bottom line: Before the latest wave of volatility and emergence of recession fears, America's most important corporate decision-makers were becoming more wary of the growth outlook.
    — Neil Irwin, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Two days is a long time on Capitol Hill, so there is still plenty of time for a deal to emerge, but Schumer's statement certainly heats up shutdown fears.
    — Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of fear
Verb
  • Seeing those kinds of numbers in headlines may have started to frighten U.S. consumers, data shows.
    — Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025
  • While full autonomy may frighten many, most drivers do still want automakers to focus on safety tech.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of frighten
Noun
  • Comments John Malkovich, in a very John Malkovich role, plays a twisted pop star in Opus, A24’s incisive horror film about the cult of toxic fandom.
    — Jessica Wang, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The space horror finds Aaron Paul, Eiza González, and Flying Lotus himself – born Steven Ellison – in new, sci-fi worlds of psychological and physical terror.
    — Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of horror
Noun
  • Extreme deficits may lead to obsessive food tracking, anxiety around eating, or disordered eating patterns.
    — Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The series is less a procedural crime drama than a social portrait diving headfirst into the simmering cultural anxiety around boys and young men in the age of incels, male dislocation, and toxic podcasts.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of anxiety
Verb
  • Higher prices and looming economic uncertainty could scare off consumers, experts previously told ABC News.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Mozer yelled out of his apartment window, scaring Moseley off.
    — Jessica Sager, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of scare
Verb
  • No matter what your views are on Israel & Palestine, we should all be terrified of a government incarcerating its residents for their political opinions.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Carolina Waterfowl Rescue has a history of rescuing snakes from predicaments in the region, including the venomous species that seem to terrify the public.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of terrify
Noun
  • That idea—of a grand continuum, in which the circumstances change but all of our big human feelings (heartache, joy, unease, panic, contentment) remain the same, across time and vast distances—felt germane to her new songs.
    — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Mix that with panic, dread, and disappointment from the judges, pack your bags!
    — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of panic

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“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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