frightening

adjective

fright·​en·​ing ˈfrī-tᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce frightening (audio)
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.

Examples of frightening in a Sentence

a truly frightening movie
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Moreover, if their environment is unpredictable, frightening, or volatile, some children learn that any disagreement could lead to danger and try to bury their feelings to avoid conflict and maintain a sense of peace. Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 7 July 2025 The great outdoors can be a big and frightening place, especially for cats who have only seen it from the safety of the great indoors. Joan Morris, Mercury News, 7 July 2025 Their options in attack are frightening: Sandy Baltimore, Kadidiatou Diani, Delphine Cascarino, Clara Mateo and Katoto. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2025 Still, the man is an exceptional talent, both phenomenal and frightening as a troubled amateur bodybuilder in Elijah Bynum's intoxicating cautionary tale. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for frightening

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of frighten

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of frightening was in 1652

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frightening. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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