FRIGHTENING Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

frightening 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrī-tᵊn-iŋ

Definition of frightening

as in terrifying

causing fear a truly frightening movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frightening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of frighten

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

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 frightening

Adjective

The Mahomeses launched the initiative two years ago, after both Sterling and Bronze experienced frightening instances with allergies. — Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026 But the reason these frightening scenes work so well is that Hitchcock knows there must be some emotional investment from the audience, especially when the actual events are so random and inexplicable. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Verb

Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth. — Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026 But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frightening

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightening

Adjective

Malerman’s truly terrifying horror novel, 2024’s Incidents Around the House, upon which Other Mommy is based, tells the tale of struggling married couple Ursula and Ross and their young daughter, Bela.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
Scottie’s punishing, smothering treatment of Judy, who bears much more than a passing resemblance to Madeleine, borders on truly terrifying to many women watching the film.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Verb

Together the duo enjoy scaring themselves into a teeth-chattering but delightful evening.

— Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
Universal announced that Nikki, the character Navarrette plays in Obsession was going to roam all of Horror Nights, scaring people and taking photos like Art the Clown, Dracula, and the Weeknd in years past.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of scaring

Adjective

Bad dreams – like scary stories – work as fire drills for the developing brain.

— Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
There, shortly after fully participating in a practice as if nothing ever happened, the rookie linebacker recapped the scenes from perhaps the scariest moment of his football career three days prior.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of scary

Verb

One of my co-workers tends to blast through this door at top speed, often startling a person reaching for the handle on the other side.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
As if triggered by this thought, the door buzzed itself open, startling the pigeons from wire to wing, a grand scattering.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of startling

Adjective

Oscar winners Vasarahelyi and Chin’s original intent was to document the quest of Morrison and his life partner, elite ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson, to summit the dangerous north face of Everest and ski down the formidable Hornbein Couloir.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2026
Remarkably, he’s accomplished this feat while using a 400-pound power wheelchair — navigating not just the globe but formidable accessibility barriers.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of formidable

Verb

Stevenson sprinted into the end zone for a 48-yard score as the clock expired, shocking the entire Soldier Field crowd as the Bears were only up 20-14.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
While hundreds of thousands of people marched peacefully, pockets of violence erupted, shocking the country, as protesters smashed shopfronts and set Limoges Town Hall on fire.

— Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of shocking

Adjective

The bat lay on its back, soggy and wretched, here in the waning hours of this terrible day.

— Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
An ugly fight between teammates during training camp was a terrible start to a season that officially began with a loss against North Carolina, a game in Dublin that TCU essentially sold, against the desires of Dykes.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of terrible

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Style

“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightening. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of frightening

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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