frightening
adjective
fright·en·ing
ˈfrī-tᵊn-iŋ 
ˈfrīt-niŋ
: causing fear
frightening news
a very frightening experience
The man with red eyes made the frightening grimace that passed for his smile.—
Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'EngleFor a man who had tussled with crocs, venomous snakes and other frightening creatures, this was going to be a leisurely swim.—Jennifer Wulff et al.
Jennifer Wulff et al.Examples of frightening in a Sentence
a truly frightening movie
Recent Examples on the Web
Those repulsed by the thought of turning to artificial intelligence for information or assistance have had to contend with the frightening reality of their omnipresence.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 14 Dec. 2025
Regardless, Moore’s dismissal unlocked a chain of dangerous and frightening events this week, prosecutors allege.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
This is the story of how AI changed our world in 2025, in new and exciting and sometimes frightening ways.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
Madigan earned rave reviews for her scene-stealing role as the thriller’s Aunt Gladys, a frightening, witchy woman who plays a pivotal role in the disappearance of 17 young children in an otherwise idyllic suburban town.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
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Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 14 Dec. 2025
Regardless, Moore’s dismissal unlocked a chain of dangerous and frightening events this week, prosecutors allege.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
This is the story of how AI changed our world in 2025, in new and exciting and sometimes frightening ways.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
Madigan earned rave reviews for her scene-stealing role as the thriller’s Aunt Gladys, a frightening, witchy woman who plays a pivotal role in the disappearance of 17 young children in an otherwise idyllic suburban town.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Cite this Entry
“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frightening. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
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