arouse fear

[əˈraʊz fɪr]

verb phrase

despertar medo

1. to cause someone to feel fear or anxiety; to provoke a feeling of dread or apprehension

The strange noises in the dark house aroused fear in the children.

Os sons estranhos na casa escura despertaram medo nas crianças.

2. to trigger or stimulate a state of alarm or concern

The news report aroused fear among investors about the market crash.

A reportagem despertou medo entre os investidores sobre o colapso do mercado.

NYC Slang

spook someone

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

despertar medo

most common usage in Brazil

General Brazilian

provocar medo

alternative common usage

Portugal

incutir medo

more formal alternative in European Portuguese

Portugal

despertar o medo

also used in Portugal

strike fear into someone's heart

put the fear of God into someone

scare someone stiff

make someone's blood run cold

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