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Definition of frightened

frightened

/ˈfɹaɪ.tənd/
fright · ened

Adverb:frightenedly
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frightened Lexical Profile

frightened Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Feeling fear, anxiety, or panic in response to a real or perceived threat.

Example

"The frightened puppy hid beneath the sofa during the loud thunderstorm."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for frightened
Antonyms
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• Rhymes for frightened

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 17th century as the participial adjective of 'frighten,' which itself derives from Old English 'fyrhtu' ('fear, trembling') combined with the verbal suffix '-en.'

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Frightened. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/frightened
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