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 of terrifying

• 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

Footage later shared by Storyful captured the terrifying moments that followed as the house began shaking violently around him. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026

Spielberg didn’t film those terrifying closeups of the shark – like when Jaws pops up as Brody is shoveling the bloody chump slick in the water — until Day 92. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 22 June 2026

The terrifying freight train of a footballer that is Erling Haaland meets one of Africa’s finest sides in the Lions of Teranga, as veterans Kalidou Koulibaly and Édouard Mendy look to stop the Norwegians in their tracks. — David Hickey, NBC news, 22 June 2026

This terrifying, wondrous circle spinning around us here on Earth. — Literary Hub, 19 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for terrifying

• applying
• belying
• complying
• decrying
• defying
• denying
• implying
• outlying
• relying
• replying
• supplying
• undying