verängstigen

Verängstigen is a German verb that translates to "to frighten," "to scare," or "to intimidate" in English. It describes the act of causing someone to feel fear or anxiety. The word is derived from the adjective "ängstlich," meaning "anxious" or "fearful," combined with the verb "ver-," which often indicates a change of state or intensity.

The term can be used in a variety of contexts. It can refer to a sudden and intense feeling of fear, such as when a person is startled by a loud noise. It can also describe a more prolonged state of apprehension or dread caused by a perceived threat or danger. In some instances, "verängstigen" implies an intentional act of making someone afraid, often for manipulative purposes.

Synonyms for "verängstigen" in German include "erschrecken" (to startle, to shock), "einschüchtern" (to intimidate), and "beunruhigen" (to worry, to disturb). The antonyms would include verbs like "beruhigen" (to calm) or "ermutigen" (to encourage). The grammatical form of the verb changes depending on the subject, tense, and mood, following standard German conjugation rules. For example, "ich verängstige" means "I frighten," while "er verängstigte" means "he frightened." The past participle is "verängstigt."