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Dismay vs Frighten - What's the difference?

dismay | frighten |

Frighten is a synonym of dismay.



As verbs the difference between dismay and frighten

is that dismay is to disable with alarm or apprehensions; to depress the spirits or courage of; to deprive of firmness and energy through fear; to daunt; to appall; to terrify while frighten is to disturb with fear; to throw into a state of alarm or fright; to affright; to terrify.

As a noun dismay

is a sudden or complete loss of courage and firmness in the face of trouble or danger; overwhelming and disabling terror; a sinking of the spirits; consternation.

dismay

English

Noun

(-)
  • A sudden or complete loss of courage and firmness in the face of trouble or danger; overwhelming and disabling terror; a sinking of the spirits; consternation.
  • Condition fitted to dismay; ruin.
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To disable with alarm or apprehensions; to depress the spirits or courage of; to deprive of firmness and energy through fear; to daunt; to appall; to terrify.
  • * Bible, Josh. i. 9
  • Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed .
  • * Fairfax
  • What words be these? What fears do you dismay ?
  • To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet.
  • * Spenser
  • Do not dismay yourself for this.
  • To take dismay or fright; to be filled with dismay.
  • * 1592 , , III. iii. 1:
  • Dismay not, princes, at this accident,

    frighten

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To disturb with fear; to throw into a state of alarm or fright; to affright; to terrify.
  • Synonyms

    * See also