terrifying

adjective

ter·​ri·​fy·​ing ˈter-ə-ˌfī-iŋ How to pronounce terrifying (audio)
ˈte-rə-
Synonyms of terrifyingnext
1
: causing terror or apprehension
2
: of a formidable nature
terrifyingly adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is something inherently terrifying about a supermassive black hole hurtling through space at an excess of three million kilometers per hour. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026 Even their vision of outer space seldom imparts the sense of a terrifying, unknowable vastness. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026 In their bloody poetry, the human animal expands, often to terrifying capacity. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026 Everything was just terrifying. Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrifying

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrifying was circa 1586

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Cite this Entry

“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrifying. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

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