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

Examples 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
Halloween Hoopla is the place to be for family-friendly frights and delights. Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2024 Tales of the Shadow from Kobold Press offers 14 tales of dark bargins, goblin mischief and other stories that can be dropped in to any campaign for a night of frights. Rob Wieland, Forbes, 7 Oct. 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
  • Lioness is a mess of political signifiers without a coherent political worldview.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
  • The trick is to work out how the complicated mess of standards, confusing acronyms, and sci-fi-sounding features translate to better Wi-Fi in your home.
    Simon Hill, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Meanwhile, fears are growing that pressure to address the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza will fade as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
    Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
  • The shame and fear from that policy linger on, even generations later.
    Josh Becker, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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
Noun
  • Next month, her upcoming film The Man in the White Van transitions her into the darker horror genre and out of the spooky childhood stardom.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
  • That same feature improves immersion in horror games and online gaming.
    Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Psychiatric problems — marked anxiety or panic attacks progressing to temporary psychosis and even schizophrenia-like psychotic illness — are presenting more frequently in emergency rooms.
    Dr. Jerrold B. Leikin, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Climate Denial as a Defense Mechanism Much like a terror management lab experiment – or the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic– natural disasters like hurricanes Helene and Milton trigger death anxiety.
    Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Fear of further controversy or a backlash from pro-Israeli supporters appears to have scared off U.S. distributors.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Instead, make noise to scare it away, the website said.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • At first, the girls are only in danger of being forced to listen to one man’s extremely pretentious opinions about religion, philosophy, culture, and yes, pop music, which is terrifying in itself.
    Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024
  • As an American Jew, that kind of language terrifies me.
    Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The first bird of the day never fails to throw me into a panic.
    Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Owners are often advised to keep their pets indoors and in a safe place if fireworks are going to be let off in their local area, to prevent any panic in the pet.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fright

Cite this Entry

“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on fright

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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