Affrightening

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Causing a sudden feeling of fear or alarm that can be overwhelming or disturbing
2. provoking an intense reaction of dread or terror in someone or something
3. evoking fright or apprehension through alarming images, sounds, or situations

Etymology: "Affrightening" is a formed word, built in English from pieces that were already there. Its core is "fright," which came into English from Old English "fyrhto," meaning fear or terror. The prefix "a-" here is the old intensifying or causative element, the same one found in "awake" and "arise," and it signals that the fright is brought about or fully applied. Add "-en," a verb-forming ending that turns a noun into a verb, and you get "affrighten," meaning to frighten or terrify. The form "affrightening" is simply the present participle of that verb, which is used here as an adjective meaning something causing deep dread. The word is a straightforward construction rather than a borrowing, so its interest lies mostly in the parts: a short, blunt noun for fear, reinforced by an old prefix, and then given a verb ending that lets it describe things that inspire terror.

Synonyms: frightening, terrifying, scary, alarming, intimidating

Antonyms: comforting, reassuring, calming, soothing, pleasant