as in frightening
causing fear
heard a terrifying noise coming from the next room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scaring
to strike with fear
the prospect of speaking in front of a huge crowd of people absolutely terrifies me
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 terrifying
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Saniya Rivers has been similarly impactful in the passing lanes, and her finishing in transition is among Connecticut’s best sources of offense; Rivers is also a terrifying help defender, a useful trait to have as a guard.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
To many civilians, the constant threat of drone attacks is terrifying.
—Rachel Wilson, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Fans appreciated the switch to the first-person as Ethan Winters battled through unusual creatures and terrifying situations, but some veterans missed the third-person view that has been a mainstay of the series.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrifying
Adjective
What could have been a really terrifying and unsettling scene, especially as the dead-eyed sheep stares ominously back at them, becomes just another goofy moment.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Saniya Rivers has been similarly impactful in the passing lanes, and her finishing in transition is among Connecticut’s best sources of offense; Rivers is also a terrifying help defender, a useful trait to have as a guard.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
To many civilians, the constant threat of drone attacks is terrifying.
—Rachel Wilson, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Fans appreciated the switch to the first-person as Ethan Winters battled through unusual creatures and terrifying situations, but some veterans missed the third-person view that has been a mainstay of the series.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrifying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrifying
Adjective
-
Trump’s project has emboldened ICE agents in frightening ways, too.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Her treatment began on May 20, 2024 at Michiana Hematology Oncology in Mishawaka, Indiana, but immediately took a frightening turn.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Residents recount a scary night and a quiet Chapman.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
The Enquirer,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Cooper Hoffman stars in one of the year’s best and scariest horror films as the determined Raymond Garraty, a spirited competitor and the son of Mrs. Garraty (Greer).—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
After decades of battling brutal conditions in the Bering Sea, Hansen, 59, is now facing something even more formidable than icy waves — his own mortality.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Huntington Beach: The Oilers remain formidable with the return of All-County duo of Roxie Shaia and Taylor Savage at quarterback and wide receiver, respectively. 4.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
As a Minneapolis resident and Minnesota native, these past few days have been horrible.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
-
However, in the immediate aftermath of something horrible, when everyone feels helpless, prayer can be a good place to go at the start, said Collins.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
While the latter is known for its legendarily terrible English localization, both of these were highly innovative horizontal scrolling shmups for their time.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Whether your team is in the middle of a winning run or mired in terrible form, five minutes looking at the standings can convince you that a hundred different futures are possible.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Networking is one of those buzzwords that can feel inauthentic, intimidating and even performative.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Removing facial hair is a delicate process that sounds intimidating but is easy enough for anyone to do with a little patience.—
Jennifer Chan,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrifying. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share