affright

/əˈfraɪt/

Other forms: affrighted; affrights; affrighting

Definitions of affright

1. verb

   cause fear in
   “Ghosts could never affright her”

   synonyms: fright, frighten, scare

   types:

   bluff

   frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one really is

   awe

   inspire awe in

   terrify, terrorise, terrorize

   fill with terror; frighten greatly

   intimidate

   make timid or fearful

   alarm, appal, appall, dismay, horrify

   fill with apprehension or alarm; cause to be unpleasantly surprised

   consternate

   fill with anxiety, dread, dismay, or confusion

   spook

   frighten or scare, and often provoke into a violent action

   cow, overawe

   subdue, restrain, or overcome by affecting with a feeling of awe; frighten (as with threats)

   hold over

   intimidate somebody (with a threat)

   ballyrag, boss around, browbeat, bully, bullyrag, hector, push around, strong-arm

   be bossy towards

   panic

   cause sudden fear in or fill with sudden panic

   shock

   strike with horror or terror

   type of:

   excite, shake, shake up, stimulate, stir

   stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of
2. noun

   an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
   synonyms: panic, terror

   types:

   swivet

   a panic or extreme discomposure

   type of:

   fear, fearfulness, fright

   an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)