affright
1 of 2verb
af·fright ə-ˈfrīt 
affrighted; affrighting; affrights
transitive verb
archaic
: frighten, alarm
affright
2 of 2noun
archaic
: sudden and great fear : terror
Synonyms
Verb
- alarm
- alarum
- fright
- frighten
- horrify
- panic
- scare
- scarify
- shock
- spook
- startle
- terrify
- terrorize
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb a ghastly sight that would affright any person
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English afrighten, probably derivative of afright, afyrht (12th century) "frightened," going back to Old English āfyrht, past participle of āfyrhtan "to frighten," from ā-, perfective prefix + fyrhtan "to frighten" — more at abide, fright entry 2
Noun
derivative of affright entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1596, in the meaning defined above
affrighting
verb
as in frightening
to strike with fear a ghastly sight that would affright any person Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- frightening
- scaring
- terrifying
- startling
- shocking
- alaruming
- making one's flesh crawl
- horrifying
- alarming
- panicking
- giving one the creeps
- shaking
- spooking
- making one's flesh creep
- terrorizing
- scarifying
- amazing
- frighting
- appalling
- shaking up
- distracting
- bowling over
- worrying
- astounding
- dismaying
- jolting
- disturbing
- discomposing
- unsettling
- unmanning
- daunting
- unnerving
- distressing
- disconcerting
- discomforting
- disquieting
- upsetting
- flooring
- undoing
- emasculating
- dispiriting
- awing
- psyching (out)
- chilling
- unstringing
- perturbing
- demoralizing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reassuring
- assuring
- comforting
- cheering
- encouraging
- consoling
- soothing
- solacing
- inspiring
- emboldening
- steeling
- heartening