frightens
word · lemma: frighten
/ˈfɹaɪtənz/
/fɹˈaɪtənz/
Definition
Causes someone to feel fear or to be scared suddenly.
Usage & Nuances
'Frightens' is more formal than 'scares', and is often used for sudden or unexpected fear. Common in phrases like 'Nothing frightens him.' It is usually about emotional reaction, not physical danger.
Spanish: asustaPortuguese (BR): assustaPortuguese (PT): assustaChinese (Simplified): 吓到Chinese (Traditional): 嚇到Hindi: डरा देता हैArabic: يخيفBengali: ভীত করে - আতঙ্কিত করেRussian: пугает - страшитJapanese: 怖がらせるVietnamese: làm cho sợ - làm hoảng sợKorean: 겁주다 - 두렵게 하다Turkish: korkutur - ürkütürUrdu: ڈرا دیتا ہے - خوفزدہ کرتا ہےIndonesian: menakuti - menakut-nakuti
Example Sentences
The loud noise frightens the baby.
basic
The dog frightens the mailman every morning.
basic
Darkness sometimes frightens young children.
basic
Speaking in public really frightens me.
natural
Nothing frightens her—she’s so brave!
natural
The idea of losing my phone frightens me more than I’d like to admit.
natural