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

Despite the frightening visuals, Maynard said these vehicles are often safer than human drivers, due to fewer distractions, and are designed to respond quickly once issues are identified. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

Bills are being paid late, the practice is a frightening level of untidiness, there’s a miniature horse in the study, and Siegfried is passed out on the sofa with some loose woman under a trench coat beside him. —Alice Burton, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026

Thus began the five most frightening years of my life. —Joanna Conti, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026

This family incredibly stays alive despite every frightening situation. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 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