fright·en 
/ˈfraɪtn̩/ verb
fright·ens; fright·ened; fright·en·ing /ˈfraɪtn̩/ verb 1 [+ obj] : to cause (someone) to become afraid
▪ The story really frightened me. ▪ The child was badly frightened by the mask. ▪ The story nearly frightened me to death. = The story nearly frightened the life out of me. [=the story frightened me very badly] 2 [no obj] : to become afraid
▪ She doesn't frighten easily.
▪ The story really frightened me. ▪ The child was badly frightened by the mask. ▪ The story nearly frightened me to death. = The story nearly frightened the life out of me. [=the story frightened me very badly]
▪ She doesn't frighten easily.
frighten away/off [phrasal verb]
frighten (someone or something) away/off : to cause (someone or something) to go away or stay away because of fear
▪ The dog frightened the prowler away. ▪ Tourists have been frightened off by the violence in the city.
▪ The dog frightened the prowler away. ▪ Tourists have been frightened off by the violence in the city.
frighten into [phrasal verb]
frighten (someone) into (doing something) : to cause (someone) to do (something) because of fear
▪ The insurance agent tried to frighten her into buying the most expensive flood insurance. ▪ They frightened the boy into confessing his crime.
▪ The insurance agent tried to frighten her into buying the most expensive flood insurance. ▪ They frightened the boy into confessing his crime.
frighten out of [phrasal verb]
frighten (someone) out of (doing something) : to keep (someone) from (doing something) because of fear
▪ Bad economic news has frightened people out of putting their money in the stock market.
▪ Bad economic news has frightened people out of putting their money in the stock market.
— frightened adjective [more frightened; most frightened]
▪ Are you frightened [=afraid] of dogs? ▪ a badly/very frightened child
▪ Are you frightened [=afraid] of dogs? ▪ a badly/very frightened child
— frightening adjective [more frightening; most frightening]
▪ There were frightening noises outside my tent. ▪ a frightening mask
▪ There were frightening noises outside my tent. ▪ a frightening mask
— fright·en·ing·ly adverb
▪ The car came frighteningly close to the guardrail. ▪ It is frighteningly [=extremely] easy to mislead voters.
▪ The car came frighteningly close to the guardrail. ▪ It is frighteningly [=extremely] easy to mislead voters.
