to make someone feel afraid or anxious, to become afraid or anxious

Formal and Informal Expressions of frighten

In different contexts, you can replace 'frighten' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'alarm, terrify' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'scare, spook' is a commonplace synonym.

frighten: Explore its Definition & Usage

frighten Definition

1to make someone feel afraid or anxious
2to become afraid or anxious

Using frighten: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "frighten" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The loud noise frightened the baby.
Example
She was frightened by the horror movie.
Example
Don't try to frighten me with your threats.
Example
I don't want to frighten you, but there's a spider on your shoulder.

frighten Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for frighten

Antonyms for frighten

Phrases with frighten

frighten someone to death
to scare someone very badly
Example
The sudden noise frightened her to death.
frighten the life out of someone
to scare someone very badly
Example
The ghost story frightened the life out of the children.
frighten someone off
to make someone decide not to do something by making them afraid
Example
The high price frightened potential buyers off.

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Summary: frighten in Brief

The verb 'frighten' [ˈfraɪtn] means to cause fear or anxiety in someone or oneself. It can be used in contexts ranging from loud noises frightening babies to horror movies frightening viewers. The phrase 'frighten someone to death' and 'frighten the life out of someone' both mean to scare someone badly, while 'frighten someone off' means to make someone decide not to do something by making them afraid.