frightened

[frahyt-nd]

adjective

1. thrown into a fright; afraid; scared; terrified.

   a frightened child cowering in the corner.

2. afraid; fearful (usually followed byof ).

   He has always been frightened of heights.

Other Word Forms

• frightenedly adverb
• unfrightened adjective
• well-frightened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of frightened¹

First recorded in 1715–25; frighten + -ed ²

Synonym Study

See afraid.

Example Sentences

Footage of the frightened animals was broadcast worldwide after being captured by a BBC cameraman covering the Post Office Inquiry.

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That prospect appears to have frightened the socialists in particular.

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This has left Jews too frightened to walk in central London when these mobs are allowed to rule the streets with the police doing virtually nothing.”

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Mother Caroline Willgoose says "kids are going to school frightened" and the installation of knife arches could be a deterrent to crime.

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"She was in the house on her own, I think she felt frightened," he said.

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Related Words

• afraid 
• anxious 
• fearful 
• panicky www.thesaurus.com
• spooked www.thesaurus.com
• startled 
• unnerved www.thesaurus.com