fright·en·ing | \ ˈfrī-tᵊn-iŋ 
, ˈfrīt-niŋ \
, ˈfrīt-niŋ \Definition of frightening
: 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 For 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.
Synonyms for frightening
Synonyms
- alarming,
- dire,
- direful,
- dread,
- dreadful,
- fearful,
- fearsome,
- forbidding,
- formidable,
- frightful,
- ghastly,
- hair-raising,
- horrendous,
- horrible,
- horrifying,
- intimidating,
- redoubtable,
- scary,
- shocking,
- spine-chilling,
- terrible,
- terrifying
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Time Traveler for frightening
The first known use of frightening was in 1652
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