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 vocals at this Honda Stage at the iHeartRadio Theater performance are nothing to write home about, but this live rendition is worth a watch if only for the looming, frightening, almost aggressive energy of her background singers. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026 The Freedom 250 Grand Prix circuit has proved to be a treacherous one, and that was highlighted in a frightening crash involving a pair of drivers early in the race. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 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
  • In the supernatural horror film, a young man wishes for Nikki to love him more than anything, but the wish quickly takes a terrifying turn.
    — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Naomi Scott gives one of the best performances of 2024 as a pop star who becomes attached to the smile demon, sending her down a terrifying roller coaster to one of the most memorable horror-movie endings in years.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Verb
  • Few griz/hunter interactions ever move beyond the scaring stage.
    — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Be a menace to people in the community, driving his boat 70 to 80 miles per hour, driving around scaring the heck out of people, taking people's lives.
    — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of scaring
Adjective
  • The pass-rush group isn’t nearly as scary without Garrett, and that could affect every level of the defense.
    — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Almost twenty years ago, a doctor told Pamela Anderson the scariest news.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of scary
Verb
  • The unpredictable motion scares them off, startling them and throwing them off balance.
    — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • Soldier Field and Wrigley Field will have formidable new competition.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Importantly, such research demonstrated the formidable risk associated with self-criticism for postpartum depression and anxiety, as well as for disruptions in mother-child communication, which might exacerbate postpartum psychopathology.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of formidable
Verb
  • Mali pulled off the first stunner of the Women's Basketball World Cup by shocking Spain 82-73 on Saturday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Those 12 minutes of shocking terror redefined the slasher genre.
    — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • Turkish football is a chaotic, infuriating, sometimes horrible but always entertaining place.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The defense says their client had no control over her fatal actions despite the clear planning of the horrible event.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • Whether the outcome will be terrible or beautiful is unclear.
    — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Feral pigeons are famously terrible nest builders and are drawn to buildings and roofs with features like solar panels, chimneys, eaves, and AC units to make their homes.
    — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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