1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a frightful sound emanated from somewhere deep within the forest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
I couldn't listen to the frightful details of the murder trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
flew into a frightful fit of rage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of frightful
Looking up at the sky and seeing the moon turn red can be a frightful but also intriguing sight.
—
Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
The weather outside may still be frightful, but Joanna Gaines is already ushering in major spring vibes.
—Averi Baudler, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Sure, fall and winter comforts like Pumpkin Mac and Cheese and hearty Hamburger Pie automatically warm your bones when the weather outside is frightful.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025
The weather was uncharacteristically frightful, causing suspension and ultimate cancellation of the popular Wednesday Pro-Am, and delays every round.
—Candace Oehler, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
The weather outside may still be frightful, but Joanna Gaines is already ushering in major spring vibes.
—Averi Baudler, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Sure, fall and winter comforts like Pumpkin Mac and Cheese and hearty Hamburger Pie automatically warm your bones when the weather outside is frightful.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025
The weather was uncharacteristically frightful, causing suspension and ultimate cancellation of the popular Wednesday Pro-Am, and delays every round.
—Candace Oehler, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightful
Adjective
-
To cut yourself off from people is to lose your connection and way in a glorious, terrifying world.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
-
Audio and video deepfakes created with generative AI tools add a new, terrifying wrinkle to scam spotting.—
Kim Key,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
For some, watching the film might seem like a gruesome voyeuristic act, even if the scene in question is not a part of the final cut.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
-
David Carpenter was sentenced to death in 1984 for the murders of more than half a dozen people along Northern California hiking trails between 1979 and 1981, a gruesome spree that earned him the nickname Trailside Killer.—
Hannah Wiley,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
In the game, the station is in the bright sunlight, and the subway tunnel experience takes a lot longer, and isn’t quite as intense.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
5 May 2025
-
And, George, Elon Musk told reporters this week it's been a very intense 100 days.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2025
Adjective
-
There are formidable breakfast burritos to be devoured all over Greater Los Angeles and Orange County.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Mike has fostered a collaborative environment with a team committed to building a formidable global business – innovating and trailblazing at every level.—
Billboard Staff,
Billboard,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The zombies are terrifying, and every situation our heroes find themselves in is a horrific, life-or-death struggle.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
Sometimes the most horrific damage comes hundreds of miles away from where the center of the eye hits the coast.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Historically, Google has had a less intensive quality control processes than Apple which has meant more low-end apps make it through to the storefront.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
-
For now, these lands could be converted to intensive residential, commercial or industrial development.—
Reed Frederick Noss,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These frightening and repulsive actions represent the most significant breach on our Capitol in over two hundred years.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
Mellencamp's frightening diagnosis, though, hasn't stopped her resolve.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
United have fallen massively and it’s been a terrible watch all season, bar a couple of highs.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Public interest in the film intensified after a stroke of terrible happenstance.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frightful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightful. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share