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
Madeleine L'EngleFor 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.
Jennifer Wulff et al.Examples of frightening in a Sentence
a truly frightening movie
Recent Examples on the Web
Now the actors, who work as game masters and perform as distressed abductees at the venue, will be frightening their guests while under union protection.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
What’s left is frightening because what’s under the bed always is.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Bungling and competence can exist side by side to a frightening degree.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Buckley, who was also on the panel, said the Bride’s reanimation isn’t frightening so much as electrifying.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frightening
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Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
What’s left is frightening because what’s under the bed always is.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Bungling and competence can exist side by side to a frightening degree.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Buckley, who was also on the panel, said the Bride’s reanimation isn’t frightening so much as electrifying.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Cite this Entry
“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frightening. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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