1
: causing intense fear or alarm : terrifying
2
: startling especially in being bad or objectionable
a frightful novel
3
: extreme
frightful thirst
frightfulness
noun
Examples of frightful in a Sentence
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
On the front, there might be frightful faces, either side of the belly.
—
Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Brian Tesler, chief medical director of Women's Health at McLaren Health Care, noted that while the weather outside is frightful, the results can be delightful in the end.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
John Tufts The weather outside is about to get frightful as a potentially dangerous winter storm crawls its way across the country.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 23 Jan. 2026
Each envelope containing the clue was inside a box filled with some frightful creature — rats, snakes, a tarantula, millipedes, and cockroaches.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frightful
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Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Brian Tesler, chief medical director of Women's Health at McLaren Health Care, noted that while the weather outside is frightful, the results can be delightful in the end.
—CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
John Tufts The weather outside is about to get frightful as a potentially dangerous winter storm crawls its way across the country.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 23 Jan. 2026
Each envelope containing the clue was inside a box filled with some frightful creature — rats, snakes, a tarantula, millipedes, and cockroaches.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Cite this Entry
“Frightful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frightful. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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