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Fright vs Anguish - What's the difference?

fright | anguish | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between fright and anguish

is that fright is a state of terror excited by the sudden appearance of danger; sudden and violent fear, usually of short duration; a sudden alarm while anguish is extreme pain, either of body or mind; excruciating distress.

As verbs the difference between fright and anguish

is that fright is to frighten while anguish is to suffer pain.

fright

English

Noun

(wikipedia fright)
  • A state of terror excited by the sudden appearance of danger; sudden and violent fear, usually of short duration; a sudden alarm.
  • * 1994 , (Stephen Fry), (The Hippopotamus) Chapter 2:
  • With a bolt of fright he remembered that there was no bathroom in the Hobhouse Room. He leapt along the corridor in a panic, stopping by the long-case clock at the end where he flattened himself against the wall.
  • Anything strange, ugly or shocking, producing a feeling of alarm or aversion.
  • * 1819 , Lord Byron, Don Juan , I:
  • Her maids were old, and if she took a new one,
    You might be sure she was a perfect fright ;
    She did this during even her husband's life
    I recommend as much to every wife.

    Derived terms

    * fright wig

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) to frighten
  • anguish

    English

    Noun

  • Extreme pain, either of body or mind; excruciating distress.
  • * Bible, Exodus vi. 9
  • But they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
  • * Latimer
  • Ye miserable people, you must go to God in anguishes , and make your prayer to him.
  • * 1889 , :
  • A terrible scream—a prolonged yell of horror and anguish —burst out of the silence of the moor. That frightful cry turned the blood to ice in my veins.

    Synonyms

    * agony, calvary, cross, pang, torture, torment * See also:

    Verb

    (es)
  • To suffer pain.
  • * (rfdate) 1900s , Kl. Knigge, Iceland Folk Song , traditional, Harmony: H. Ruland
  • We’re leaving these shores for our time has come, the days of our youth must now end. The hearts bitter anguish , it burns for the home that we’ll never see again.
  • To cause to suffer pain.