| frightful | 1. Full of fright; affrighted; frightened. "See how the frightful herds run from the wood." (W. Browne) 2. Full of that which causes fright; exciting alarm; impressing terror; shocking; as, a frightful chasm, or tempest; a frightful appearance. Synonym: Terrible, dreadful, alarming, fearful, terrific, awful, horrid, horrible, shocking. Frightful, Dreadful, Awful. These words all express fear. In frightful, it is a sudden emotion; in dreadful, it is deeper and more prolonged; in awful, the fear is mingled with the emotion of awe, which subdues us before the presence of some invisible power. An accident may be frightful; the approach of death is dreadful to most men; the convulsions of the earthquake are awful. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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