frighten

fright·en

verb \ˈfrī-t^ən\

fright·enedfright·en·ing\ˈfrī-t^ən-iŋ, ˈfrīt-niŋ\

Definition of FRIGHTEN

transitive verb

1

: to make afraid : terrify

2

: to drive or force by frightening <frightened the boy into confessing>

intransitive verb

: to become frightened

— fright·en·ing·ly \-t^ən-iŋ-lē, -niŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of FRIGHTEN

1. The story really frightened me.
2. The child was badly frightened by the mask.

First Known Use of FRIGHTEN

1630

Related to FRIGHTEN

Synonyms: affright, alarm (also alarum), fright, horrify, panic, scare, scarify, shock, spook, startle, terrify, terrorize, give one the creeps, make one's flesh creep (or crawl)

Antonyms: reassure

Related Words: appall (also appal), bowl over, dismay, floor, jolt, shake, shake up; amaze, astound, awe; chill, daunt, demoralize, dispirit, emasculate, psych (out), undo, unman, unnerve, unstring; discomfort, discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distract, distress, disturb, perturb, unsettle, upset, worry

Near Antonyms: assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe; embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire, steel

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with FRIGHTEN

brighten, Brighton, chitin, chiton, heighten, lighten, tighten, titan, triton, whiten