anxiety, anxiousness - a relatively permanent state of anxiety occurring in a variety of mental disorders

red scare - a period of general fear of communists

fear, fearfulness, fright - an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

bluff - frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one really is

stimulate, stir, shake up, shake, excite - stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of; "These stories shook the community"; "the civil war shook the country"

awe - inspire awe in; "The famous professor awed the undergraduates"

terrify, terrorise, terrorize - fill with terror; frighten greatly

intimidate - make timid or fearful; "Her boss intimidates her"

alarm, horrify, appal, appall, dismay - fill with apprehension or alarm; cause to be unpleasantly surprised; "I was horrified at the thought of being late for my interview"; "The news of the executions horrified us"

consternate - fill with anxiety, dread, dismay, or confusion; "After the terrorist attack, people look consternated"

spook - frighten or scare, and often provoke into a violent action; "The noise spooked the horse"

intimidate, restrain - to compel or deter by or as if by threats