affright

verb

ə-ˈfrīt How to pronounce affright (audio)
Definition of affrightnext
as in to frighten
to strike with fear a ghastly sight that would affright any person

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affright
  1. frighten
  2. scare
  3. terrify
  4. startle
Verb
  • 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
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • Vladimir Putin’s nuclear saber-rattling is scaring investors SURPRISING DISCOVERIES AI models watch TV just like people.
    Melvin Backman, Quartz, 20 Nov. 2024
  • The record-high prices last year might have scared away some fans from attending, but the Las Vegas Grand Prix and hotels around the track have made some adjustments this year, hoping to bring out an even larger crowd.
    Sunny Tsai, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
Definition of scare
Verb
  • Zoom out: Human rights advocates see President-elect Trump's win as a major cause for alarm, terrified that federal legislation will follow suit of some states by threatening access to gender-affirming care, workplace protections and participation in sports.
    Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Grace was losing it: her peace, her grip, her ability to stand upright after spending so long hunched over and terrified.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Definition of terrify
Verb
  • Not wanting to startle the boy, Green turned his phone to face him with trees in the backdrop.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024
  • According to Benson and Bertone, the most common pantry pests include: Cigarette beetles are 1/8-inch brownish bugs with a long rounded to oval shape; when startled, the adults tuck in their head and legs and remain still.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2024
Definition of startle
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near affright

affrays

affright

affrighted

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Cite this Entry

“Affright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affright. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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