terrifying

adjective

ter·​ri·​fy·​ing ˈter-ə-ˌfī-iŋ 

ˈte-rə-

1

: causing terror or apprehension

2

: of a formidable nature

terrifyingly adverb

Synonyms

• frightening
• scary
• formidable
• horrible
• terrible
• intimidating

Examples of terrifying in a Sentence

The thought of dying alone was terrifying.

heard a terrifying noise coming from the next room

Recent Examples on the Web

In the minds of many – but not all – hurricane and climate experts, Melissa’s terrifying trip through the Caribbean also piled on evidence of the increasing influence of a warming ocean on an evolving hurricane landscape. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025

Alma is terrifying, but she wasn’t born this way. —Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025

Taking inspiration from The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Douglas Sirk melodramas of the '50s, director Ti West delights in playing with contrasts in Pearl, adorning grisly murders and a terrifying lead performance with a sumptuous score and rich, saturated colors. —Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025

Forces of good and evil collide in a terrifying film where real-world challenges crash headlong into other worldly creatures and myths. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for terrifying

• amplifying
• beautifying
• certifying
• clarifying
• classifying
• codifying
• crucifying
• edifying
• falsifying
• fortifying
• glorifying
• gratifying