fright 1 of 2

fright

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verb

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
Noun
  • Mark Critchley has a full explainer on the financial mess.
    Chris Branch, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The fund did lower its payout after the 2022 mess, leaving itself room to buy bargains.
    Brett Owens, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The number of cancellations comes from a person who asked for anonymity because of the fear of repercussions at the Post.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Soft signals about the economy The pullback in spending comes at a time when American consumers are growing increasingly pessimistic on fears that inflation will pick up because of President Donald Trump’s talk of wide-ranging tariffs, according to various surveys.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • On the streets, conservative protesters, frightened that the left could win the next election, have rallied to Yoon.
    ROBERT E. KELLY, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2025
  • That frightened stray kitten forgot her fears and moved up on that ball of paper and batted it across the floor and then batted it again.
    Carole Wendt, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The video for the single captures the singer literally running away from the horrors hiding beneath the surface February 28, 2025 The new Lizzo era is here.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2025
  • People need to continue to show up to town halls and political events to express their dismay and horror at the prospect of Trump and Musk demolishing social safety nets and health, safety, and economic regulation.
    Leah Litman, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In the film, Shear stars as Sam, a once-promising law student whose anxiety has slowly chipped away at his confidence in all areas of his life.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Qigong also was found helpful in treating arthritis, depression and anxiety, and hypertension in a May 2022 study published in the Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research.
    Melanie Radzicki McManus, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In 2023, a bear barged into a bakery in Avon, scared employees and helped itself to 60 cupcakes before ambling away.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Wise infuses a nurturing maturity and vulnerability in Nicole that scares Roger, and challenges him to confront his unhealthy relationship habits and general indecisiveness.
    Morgan A. Grain, Essence, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • They are devastated by what has happened, and terrified of what could happen if the current ceasefire collapses and the war and bombing resumes.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The very idea of going to the Oscars on acid sounds terrifying AF, but so does coming off acid in the middle of the Oscars, which also happened to Parker and Stone.
    Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But another 454 people were injured during the ensuing panic.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Then, as now, much of the moral panic over what's being taught in schools is really rooted in anxieties about the racial order of the United States.
    Gene Demby, NPR, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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