Frightens with wild caress? (6)
I believe the answer is:
scares
'frightens' is the definition.
(I know this)
'wild caress?' is the wordplay.
'wild' indicates an anagram.
'caress' with letters rearranged gives 'SCARES'.
'with' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for scares that I've seen before include "Terrifies" , "Affrights" , "Alarms" , "Frightens or intimidates" , "Causes fear" .)