as in terrifying
causing fear
a truly frightening movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scaring
to strike with fear
around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frightening
Brian Boone, Vulture, 10 June 2025
In an economy already struggling with inflation, the prospect of skyrocketing gasoline prices was too frightening to hazard.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 4 June 2025
The expression on the girl’s face is even more frightening than the infinite maw.
—Emily Temple
may 29, Literary Hub, 29 May 2025
The ensuing action is gory and frightening — and even Wong got a little spooked by Hawkins.
—Eric Andersson, People.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Adjective
There’s much class-ditching, partying, and trips to fun Chicago spots until Preach and Cochise run into some very dangerous people out in that frightening real world.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 10 June 2025
In an economy already struggling with inflation, the prospect of skyrocketing gasoline prices was too frightening to hazard.
—Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 4 June 2025
The expression on the girl’s face is even more frightening than the infinite maw.
—Emily Temple
may 29, Literary Hub, 29 May 2025
The ensuing action is gory and frightening — and even Wong got a little spooked by Hawkins.
—Eric Andersson, People.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightening
Adjective
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John Hoffman via Facebook In a statement released on Thursday night, the Hoffman family recounted the terrifying attack, saying they were woken up by someone impersonating an officer who was banging on their door at 2 a.m.—
Stephen Swanson,
CBS News,
20 June 2025
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Whether the result of drugs, alcohol or general hysteria, these terrifying men would enter trance-like states and charge into battle, ignoring severe injuries and collapsing into a feeble heap immediately after the fight concluded.—
Drew Gerber,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Is 'Jaws' the scariest film of all time? Watch it once or hundreds of times and the scare seems fresh every time, says Dawn Keetley, editor of the journal Horror Studies and professor of English and film at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
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The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Soon after, he was joined by his brother, Tonga Loa, creating a formidable new tag team within the group.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
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Krishnamurthi is also a star cricket player for the U.S. senior national team, a contributor to their recent run of strong form that included a win over a formidable Pakistan team in the T20 World Cup last year.—
Christian Babcock,
Mercury News,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
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Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And in addition to the swing itself, his overall approach at the plate has always been horrible.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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With guidance from Benny’s older sister and her campus-legend boyfriend, Benny and Carmen juggle horrible hookups, flavored vodka, and fake IDs.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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And these are the same Oilers who, after a terrible 6-1 loss in Game 3 to the Panthers, overcame a three-goal deficit in Game 4 to even the series.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
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Outside of getting to play a grand slam event in his backyard, Thomas has been downright terrible in the sport's four biggest tournaments.—
Gerrit Ritt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Unlike other squirrel-proof bird feeders, this one is ideal for small birds and won’t attract bigger, more intimidating birds like ravens, eagles, grackles, or black birds.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 June 2025
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Its profoundly intimidating core cast come together as the white-hot heart of an espionage love story.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightening. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
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