frightens
Gives a scare
Frightens is the third-person singular of frighten, meaning to cause fear or alarm.
A loud noise frightens the baby.
The prospect of failure frightens her.
What frightens people varies widely—some are frightened by spiders, others by public speaking, others by nothing at all.
Cause extreme fright
- petrifyFossilize or paralyze utterly
- horrifyCause intense revulsion
- hauntTrouble persistently, as spirits
- chillCold sensation or relaxation
dread · nightmare · panic · ghastly · macabre · grisly · gruesome · sinister
Abrupt forceful shake
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- spookApparition or frighten
- alarmUrgent warning signal
jump scare · flinch · gasp · shriek · scream · bolt · recoil · heart-pounding
Intense sudden excitement
- rollercoasterLooping amusement track vehicle
- haunted houseDwelling believed spirit-inhabited
- horror movieCinema meant to terrify
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
scary story · cliffhanger · jump scare · scream queen · thrill-seeker · goosebumps · edge of seat · white-knuckle
Habitual intimidator
- coerceObtain by intimidation
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
- menaceSource of potential harm
- cowFemale bovine
daunt · unnerve · browbeat · domineer · pressure · subdue · tyrannize · deter
Cause to flee
- drive awayCause to retreat
- deterPrevent through intimidation
- ward offActively prevent approach
- scarecrowDecoy to frighten birds
keep at bay · repulse · chase off · fend off · discourage · scatter · disperse · protective
terrify
Cause extreme fright
- petrifyFossilize or paralyze utterly
- horrifyCause intense revulsion
- hauntTrouble persistently, as spirits
chill · dread · nightmare · panic · ghastly · macabre · grisly · gruesome · sinister · ominous
jolt
Abrupt forceful shake
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- spookApparition or frighten
alarm · jump scare · flinch · gasp · shriek · scream · bolt · recoil · heart-pounding · adrenaline
adrenaline rush
Intense sudden excitement
- rollercoasterLooping amusement track vehicle
- haunted houseDwelling believed spirit-inhabited
- horror movieCinema meant to terrify
scary story · suspense · cliffhanger · jump scare · scream queen · thrill-seeker · goosebumps · edge of seat · white-knuckle
bully
Habitual intimidator
cow · daunt · unnerve · browbeat · domineer · pressure · subdue · tyrannize · deter · oppress
scare off
Cause to flee
- drive awayCause to retreat
- deterPrevent through intimidation
- ward offActively prevent approach
scarecrow · keep at bay · repulse · chase off · fend off · discourage · scatter · disperse · protective · guard
- frighten the piss out ofScare very badly
- frighten the life out of someoneScare extremely badly
- frightened rabbitScared lagomorph