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

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 of frightening

• terrifying
• scary
• formidable
• horrible
• terrible
• intimidating

Examples of frightening in a Sentence

a truly frightening movie

Recent Examples on the Web

While speaking to Entertainment Weekly earlier this month, the Duffer Brothers teased that much of the season will take place in the frightening dimension where Vecna resides. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Nov. 2025

This was a most frightening moment. —Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025

Far from ushering in a frightening new era of global instability, selective proliferation would help uphold the post–World War II order. —Moritz S. Graefrath, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025

Leah James saved her brother from the frightening clutches of a social media challenge. —Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of frighten

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frightening

• brightening
• heightening
• lightening
• tightening
• whitening
• enlightening