frightful

fright·ful

adjective \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

Rhymes with FRIGHTFUL

rightful, spiteful, sprightful