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
  • 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
Noun
  • But fear of ice-cold takes never stopped us before.
    Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Volodymyr Zelensky spoke in a week when a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump raised fears in Kyiv that it was being frozen out of negotiations, with the White House also downplaying the prospects of Ukraine joining NATO.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Thousands of residents and visitors have left Santorini, frightened by the earthquakes measuring between magnitude 3 and magnitude 5 in the area since the weekend.
    Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
  • President Trump did no one any favors and his irresponsible accusations were meant to confuse and spread an unfounded conspiracy while both trying to score political points as well as frighten the flying public needlessly.
    Michael B. Teiger, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • My biggest problem with most horror movies is that there is always a solution at the end.
    Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Another 20th title, the Sam Raimi horror movie Send Help starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, will open on January 30, 2026.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • While some financial hiccups are normal in early adulthood, ongoing instability could signal deeper struggles with budgeting, impulsivity or even financial anxiety.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Merz vowed to bring stronger leadership in Europe at a moment when Trump had sowed anxiety on the continent by scrambling traditional alliances and embracing Russia.
    Emmett Lindner, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • His limited resume and the fact he’s spent more time in the box than on the edge also might scare teams, which means Walker’s potential draft range could be rather large.
    Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
  • That's one week after Borderlands 4 and just in time to scare everyone (hopefully) during the all-spooky Halloween season.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • On the military plane ride from California to Panama, Mona, a 32-year-old Iranian Christian convert, said her 8-year-old son cried, terrified to see his parents shackled.
    Julie Turkewitz, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
  • However, the exhibit’s approach is just the opposite of Jackson’s — not to terrify moviegoers, but rather to demystify the eight-legged animals by fostering curiosity and empathy.
    Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • That’s understandably caused some panic among the fan base.
    Cory Lavalette, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Spreading moral panic Trump is already actively deploying a key tactic in expanding mass surveillance: causing moral panics.
    Brittany Friedman, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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