frighten
verb (used with object)
to make afraid or fearful; throw into a fright; terrify; scare.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kim Sun-hee, 70, described them as "like scraping cement, or even ghost-like noises. It was really frightening".
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
While it sounds frightening to say rates are higher than they’ve been in nearly 20 years, the past two decades are the era that was abnormal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
He looked frightening but he was the opposite.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
Minnie Driver’s Paris adventures went awry this week when she was involved in a car accident that she’s describing as a frightening close call.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
The really frightening thing about Olaf, she realized, was that he was very smart after all.
From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket
