frightening 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrī-tᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce frightening (audio)
Definition of frighteningnext
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 most frightening scenario to many officials on both sides of the border is that the United States might use Rocha’s case as a pretext to strike Mexico. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 The Other Mommy trailer, which is now available online after playing before The Odyssey on its opening weekend in theaters, is both ridiculous and frightening. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 July 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
  1. terrifying
  2. scaring
  3. scary
  4. startling
  5. formidable
  6. shocking
  7. horrible
  8. terrible
Adjective
  • Pinnock, in particular, is at his best here, showcasing a diabolical cruelty and terrifying manipulation, elevating the story and the show to a different level.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • Here's a selection of spectacular photos of the July Buck Moon 2026 captured alongside gorgeous natural landscapes, terrifying wildfires and stunning cityscapes from around the world.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of terrifying
Verb
  • The dangers of taking a dog out off-leash The danger isn’t just scaring people who might have a fear of dogs; having your dog off-leash can lead to even more dangerous consequences.
    — Tanya Edwards, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Dogs, in particular, appear to be effective in scaring geese.
    — Mark Vrtiska, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
Definition of scaring
Adjective
  • The tragic story of a 17-year-old from Tangier is representative of the plight of many of the more than 800 minors who four days after the collective push by migrants into Ceuta face a scary present and an uncertain future.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • While drooling during sleep can conjure scary thoughts of a health problem, experts say the habit is nothing to worry about — though there are still certain signs to watch for.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of scary
Verb
  • Last week, an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight-demonstration team, zoomed dangerously low along the Florida coast, stirring up sand and umbrellas, startling some beachgoers—and, it must be said, delighting many others.
    — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026
  • Cortlandt Koerwitz/Instagram A family's Fourth of July outing took a frightening turn when a bear charged at a father outside his Lake Tahoe vacation home after startling his daughters.
    — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • Anyone in the bout would make a formidable champion, but given Flair’s lengthy history with Ripley, that is the most high-profile unification bout WWE could possibly do down the road.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The episode reveals the formidable powers available to a president to target his enemies.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of formidable
Verb
  • The rollout comes on the heels of shocking AI safety failures that rattled the nascent industry.
    — Sam McNeil, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • In year three, however, Fisch and the Wildcats were the talk of college football, shocking everyone with a 10-3 record and putting players like QB Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan on the map.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • But the Chinese way will cause a proliferation of talent, usage, data—until something horrible happens.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Badgers have had horrible injury luck, which has led to bad QB play the past few years.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • My scheduler needed no prompting to tell me the system was terrible.
    — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • During that terrible season, 71% of California Dungeness boats stopped fishing and more than 200 jobs were lost.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of terrible

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Cite this Entry

“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightening. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on frightening

Nglish: Translation of frightening for Spanish Speakers

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