FRIGHT Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fright 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrīt

Definition of fright next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

vision

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

fright

2 of 2

verb

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

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

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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

Noun

There was mess from the beginning, and his hands were in all of it.

— Katie Drummond, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2025
This business is old and a mess — there aren’t overnight solutions to any of these conversations — but the fact that these conversations are being had by such public figures is such a joy and will lead to change finally.

— Joe Lynch, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2025