frightened

[frahyt-nd] / ˈfraɪt nd /

ADJECTIVE

very scared

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid anxious fearful panicky spooked startled unnerved

STRONG

abashed affrighted alarmed butterflies cowed dismayed frozen numb petrified terrified terrorized yellow

WEAK

aghast chicken chicken-hearted have cold feet having kittens hung up in a cold sweat in a panic in a sweat jittery jumpy lily-livered mousy pushing the panic button rabbity running scared scared stiff shaky shivery sissy terror-stricken uptight

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bold brave cool courageous happy unafraid

WEAK

calm comforted

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.

"I know them, I know their tricks. I know they're very much frightened," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

But after that, she was frightened and unable to sleep.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Official L.A., anxious to mollify angry and frightened Angelenos, dropped the hammer on a plant near downtown L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Dahl made his fortune by tapping into the delight children take in being frightened, conjuring worlds where evil lurks, often in human form.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

A frightened pig was also a fair guess, yet Penelope could swear the sound was coming from the treetops, which ruled out pigs completely.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

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