frightful

adjective

fright·ful ˈfrīt-fəl

Synonyms of frightful next

: causing intense fear or alarm : terrifying

: startling especially in being bad or objectionable

a frightful novel

: extreme

frightful thirst

frightfully

ˈfrīt-fə-lē

adverb

frightfulness noun

Example Sentences

As he fell, he let out a frightful scream. a frightful illness that causes extreme pain The children made a frightful mess of the kitchen. Many critics have expressed shock at the song's frightful lyrics.

Recent Examples on the Web Winners have ranged from Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion, who competed for Switzerland in 1988, to frightful mask-wearing Finnish metalheads Lordi in 2006 and bearded Austrian drag performer Conchita Wurst in 2014. —

Jill Lawless, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 May 2023 And simply allowing anybody to make use of such computing power without erecting guardrails could have frightful consequences. —

Hiawatha Bray, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Mar. 2023 Miraculously, Struxness is shown walking away—cowboy hat still somehow in place on his head—after the frightful incident. —

Ariana Garcia, Chron, 17 Mar. 2023 Not doing so would be a frightful dereliction of defensive duty. —

Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2023 The interaction lasted all of a few seconds but followed a frightful pattern. —

oregonlive, 19 Feb. 2023 The weather is looking frightful for this Western New York matchup and the elements should favor the Bills. —

Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2022 This book is not for those looking for something on the fun side of frightful. —

Emily Burack, Town & Country, 25 Jan. 2023 Unique mocktail recipes are perfect additions to holiday menus and gatherings of all kinds, like rosy-hued Valentine's Day ideas, slushies and spritzers for that 4th of July cookout, or delightful and frightful Halloween punch recipes. —

Alexandra Ilyashov, Woman's Day, 25 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frightful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.