terrifying
adjective
ter·ri·fy·ing
ˈter-ə-ˌfī-iŋ 
ˈte-rə-
1
: causing terror or apprehension
2
: of a formidable nature
terrifyingly
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of terrifying in a Sentence
The thought of dying alone was terrifying.
heard a terrifying noise coming from the next room
Recent Examples on the Web
Tracy Sierra drops you right into her terrifying scenario.
—
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 26 Apr. 2024
Grier plays Dawn's mom Athena, who takes care of her daughter and grandson (Joshua J. Williams), harbors a dark secret and has terrifying visions – including a monstrous washing machine – around the house that may or may not be real.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
And then there was a truly iconic turn from Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick, the terrifying antagonist in Alexander Payne’s sharp political satire, Election.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2024
If a century of failure has made clear that the two sides are unlikely to be reconciled in the foreseeable future, the war in Gaza has exposed the terrifying cataclysm that poor handling of the conflict can bring about.
—Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Lisa Rinna has a terrifying secret in the upcoming Lifetime movie Mommy Meanest.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
Biden's Middle East policy led to 'terrifying' results.
—Fox News, 19 Apr. 2024
But even more terrifying are reports of everyday horror — a gay bashing in the gay-friendly part of San Diego, an episode of cruel LGBTQ+ bullying at the high school, the treacherous specter of drug abuse and the inexorable phantom of death.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Guidry’s Jo is the kind of girl everyone has met, magnetic and terrifying at once.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 26 Apr. 2024
Grier plays Dawn's mom Athena, who takes care of her daughter and grandson (Joshua J. Williams), harbors a dark secret and has terrifying visions – including a monstrous washing machine – around the house that may or may not be real.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
And then there was a truly iconic turn from Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick, the terrifying antagonist in Alexander Payne’s sharp political satire, Election.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2024
If a century of failure has made clear that the two sides are unlikely to be reconciled in the foreseeable future, the war in Gaza has exposed the terrifying cataclysm that poor handling of the conflict can bring about.
—Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Lisa Rinna has a terrifying secret in the upcoming Lifetime movie Mommy Meanest.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
Biden's Middle East policy led to 'terrifying' results.
—Fox News, 19 Apr. 2024
But even more terrifying are reports of everyday horror — a gay bashing in the gay-friendly part of San Diego, an episode of cruel LGBTQ+ bullying at the high school, the treacherous specter of drug abuse and the inexorable phantom of death.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Guidry’s Jo is the kind of girl everyone has met, magnetic and terrifying at once.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'terrifying.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near terrifying
Cite this Entry
“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrifying. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
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