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fright

fright

72 1.5
A sudden strong feeling of fear when you expect danger
  • noun
  • /fraɪt/
: susto
  • The sudden sound in the dark gave me a fright that made my heart race.
  • stage fright
  • take fright
  • fright and fear

OK, do that like a man with sexual stage fright who orders a prostitute.

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Examples

  • The boy wanted to say something, but his tears and fright would not let him gather a breath.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • You gave me quite a fright.

  • Gave me the fright of my life.

  • You gave me a bit of a fright, there.

  • After they get over their initial fright, they get very interested in the animals.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • You gave me a fright.

  • And she probably just passed out from a combination of fear, fright, you know, stress, whatever.

  • Her hand comes to her mouth in fright; accent colors her speech.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "Miss Lydia?" Her hand was still up, and there was fright in her eyes.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Still, there sat Darla on the opposite chair, eyes wide with fright over what she'd just exposed.

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

fear
vsfright
∞ 1.0

An unpleasant feeling of being afraid because something seems dangerous

is sudden and intense rather than a general ongoing feeling
terror
vsfright
334 4.9

A very strong feeling of fear and worry

is intense yet less overwhelming and linked to expected harm
scare
vsfright
156 2.0

A short time when people feel afraid about something

is sudden but tied specifically to expecting pain or danger
apprehension
vsfright
32 4.4

A feeling of fear or worry that something bad may happen

is sudden and immediate rather than a slow anticipatory worry
trepidation
vsfright
22 8.1

A feeling of fear or worry about something that may happen

is sudden and sharp rather than a cautious slow anxiety about future events

Antonyms

106 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

Compounds

23 3.9

Nervousness before you perform or speak in front of people

A feeling of nervousness before reading aloud or speaking in public

How Afraid

terror
334 4.9
to panic
381 2.3
fright
72 1.5
alarm
65 2.3
worry
378 1.0
unease
21 4.4

Surface Forms

fright singular
frights plural

Etymology

Fright comes from an old English word that meant 'fear'. It is the same root as the simple word fear, so a fright is a sudden, strong feeling of being afraid.