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

Beats that might once have been framed through a hazy, absurdist lens now play as something much more fatalistic and frightening. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026

Forget about sonic or other frightening devices. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026

This footage also teases a frightening moment when Pitt and his dog cross a river, and Pitt’s effort to keep his dog from falling leads himself to wind up in the water. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026

Taylor Momsen is powering through a frightening health scare on tour. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026

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