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

• alarming
• dire
• direful
• dread
• dreadful
• fearful
• fearsome
• forbidding
• formidable
• frightening
• frightful
• ghastly
• hair-raising
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrifying
• intimidating
• redoubtable
• scary
• shocking
• spine-chilling
• terrible

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

Even after removal of all the smoke and mirrors, though, reports of terrifying hauntings continue to this day. —Jess Joho, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024

But the fantasy imagery that does arrive remains kid-friendly, in a Hansel and Gretel-ish rather than graphically terrifying mode. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024

At night, terrifying monsters come out and hunt anyone unlucky enough to be caught outside—or gullible enough to open their doors. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

Otherwise, America could wake up on November 6th to a terrifying surprise: a digital war for democracy where truth is the first casualty. —Miles Taylor, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1