épouvanter

to terrify

verb eh-poo-vahn-TEH Rare

Usage Note

Épouvanter is stronger and more literary than effrayer or faire peur; it suggests causing horror or dread. The related noun l'épouvante means 'terror' or 'horror', as in film d'épouvante (horror film). The adjective épouvantable ('dreadful, awful') is far more common in everyday speech.

Examples

"Ce bruit l'a complètement épouvanté."

Natural Translation

That noise completely terrified him.

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