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- pronunciation:
- fraI
t
 n
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Builder, Grammatical Patterns, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
frightens, frightening, frightened |
| definition 1: |
to make fearful or terrified.
The thunder frightened the children.Reports of an escaped convict with a gun frightened the community.It frightens me that there have been so many burglaries in the neighborhood recently.[it + verb + smby + that + clause
]
- synonyms:
- funk, panic, scare, terrify, terrorize
- similar words:
- alarm, chill, dismay, horrify, intimidate, petrify, threaten, unnerve
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| definition 2: |
to cause to move away suddenly by inducing fear (usu. fol. by "away" or "off").
The fierce dog frightened off most visitors to the house.- synonyms:
- alarm, scare, startle
- similar words:
- agitate, disturb, panic
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| related words: |
menace, startle |
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| derivation: |
frighteningly (adv.) |
Word Builder: frighten +
- frightened:
having caused fear in.
- frightening:
causing fear; scary.
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