frightful

fright·ful

adj \ˈfrīt-fəl\

Definition of FRIGHTFUL

1

: causing intense fear or alarm : terrifying

2

: startling especially in being bad or objectionable <a frightful novel>

3

: extreme <frightful thirst>

— fright·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— fright·ful·ness noun

Examples of FRIGHTFUL

1. As he fell, he let out a frightful scream.
2. a frightful illness that causes extreme pain
3. The children made a frightful mess of the kitchen.
4. Many critics have expressed shock at the song's frightful lyrics.

First Known Use of FRIGHTFUL

1607

Related to FRIGHTFUL

Synonyms: alarming, dire, direful, dread, dreadful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, fearful, ghastly, hair-raising, horrendous, horrible, horrifying, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, shocking, spine-chilling, terrible, terrifying

Antonyms: light, moderate, soft

Related Words: daunting, demoralizing, disconcerting, discouraging, dismaying, disquieting, distressing, disturbing, perturbing, startling, threatening, troubling, trying, unnerving; bone-chilling, creepy, eerie (also eery), weird; appalling, atrocious, awful, grisly, gruesome (also grewsome), hideous, horrid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish

Near Antonyms: calming, comforting, consoling, inviting, lulling, pacifying, quieting, reassuring, relaxing, soothing, tranquilizing (also tranquillizing); nonintimidating, nonthreatening

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Rhymes with FRIGHTFUL

rightful, spiteful, sprightful