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Frighten vs Frightening - What's the difference?

frighten | frightening |

As verbs the difference between frighten and frightening

is that frighten is to disturb with fear; to throw into a state of alarm or fright; to affright; to terrify while frightening is present participle of lang=en.

As an adjective frightening is

causing fear; of capable of causing fear; scary.

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

    frightening

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Causing fear; of capable of causing fear; scary.
    • The frightening scientist lived in an old shack.
  • (figuratively) Awful, terrible, very bad.

    • Synonyms

    *

    Verb

    (head)
    • The scientist was frightening the timid children.