Frighten: meaning, definitions and examples

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frighten

[ ˈfraɪtn ]

^{Context #1}

scary

To make someone feel afraid or frightened by suddenly appearing or behaving in a threatening way.

Synonyms

alarm, scare, startle, terrify

Examples of usage

He jumped out from behind the bushes to frighten her.
The loud noise frightened the children.
She was frightened by the sudden darkness.

^{Context #2}

intimidate

To make someone feel nervous or frightened, especially because you threaten them or make them believe you are very powerful.

Synonyms

bully, coerce, daunt, intimidate

Examples of usage

He used to frighten his classmates into giving him their lunch money.
Don't let them frighten you into signing anything.

^{Context #3}

emotion

A sudden intense feeling of fear.

Synonyms

dread, fear, panic, terror

Examples of usage

She screamed in fright when she saw the spider.
Their eyes widened in fright as they heard the noise.

Translations

Translations of the word "frighten" in other languages:

🇵🇹 assustar

🇮🇳 डराना (ḍarānā)

🇩🇪 erschrecken

🇮🇩 menakuti

🇺🇦 лякати

🇵🇱 przestraszyć

🇯🇵 怖がらせる (kowagaraseru)

🇫🇷 effrayer

🇪🇸 asustar

🇹🇷 korkutmak

🇰🇷 놀라게 하다 (nollage hada)

🇸🇦 يخيف (yukhif)

🇨🇿 vystrašit

🇸🇰 vystrašiť

🇨🇳 惊吓 (jīngxià)

🇸🇮 prestrašiti

🇮🇸 hræða

🇰🇿 қорқыту

🇬🇪 შეშინება (sheshineba)

🇦🇿 qorxutmaq

🇲🇽 asustar

Word origin

The word 'frighten' originated from the Old English word 'afyrhtan', which means 'frighten, terrify'. It has been used in the English language since the 14th century. The concept of frightening someone has been a part of human nature since ancient times, as a way to survive in the face of danger.