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

In Gosha’s case, that involves getting mixed up with gangsters at a seedy nightclub, a sequence that quickly deteriorates from being mildly comical to sinister to outright terrifying by even degrees. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

After that horrible night and the equally terrifying and destructive day and night that followed, the fire finally burned itself out. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Concerns came to a head last summer, when the Beyem Seo pack killed 92 cows and calves in Sierra Valley, straining law enforcement and terrifying residents. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026

But getting that fissile material off the launchpad safely remains a terrifying engineering hurdle. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 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