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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
  • The federal government is spending billions to build new chargers to address that anxiety.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Use these tips to replace dread and anxiety with confidence this performance review season!
    Sean Manning, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
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
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
Noun
  • Not the American economy, which twitched from panic to triumph to panic and, in 1907, had to be bailed out with private funds from Morgan and his associates.
    Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
  • The second season of Bad Sisters opens on a familiar note: The Garvey sisters screeching through their panic.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fright

Cite this Entry

“Fright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fright. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on fright

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