as in terrifying
causing fear
a truly frightening movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The footage of Hurricane Melissa is frightening to watch.
—Tyler Geis, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Adjective
However, many people still see nuclear as both frightening and unnecessary.
—Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The footage of Hurricane Melissa is frightening to watch.
—Tyler Geis, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightening
Adjective
-
But a computer sensor wasn’t needed to confirm his terrifying speed.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Desperate to prove his mettle, Dek seeks out a terrifying creature of Yautja lore, determined to be the first of his kind to slay it.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
More to the point, here are two industries still suffering the effects of high inflation, and two areas where that’s scaring customers away.—
Kelly Evans,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Like, scaring kids is important.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Fascinating albeit kinda scary to watch though.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Kim also recalled her mother allegedly threatening her father’s life, and on one scary occasion, Betty drove her car into the new home Dan shared with their children.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In a follow-up video, the owner revealed a gentle method for waking the puppy without startling her.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Mesidor has formed a formidable one-two punch on the Hurricanes’ defensive line with Rueben Bain Jr.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Jazz In recent years, the pianist Vijay Iyer and the drummer Tyshawn Sorey, defining composers and leaders of contemporary jazz, have become one of its most formidable pairings.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Technology glitches, shocking headlines and erratic behavior aren’t unusual under this type of transit, so keep your eyes peeled.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Is there a way for the film to hold an audience member through the violence instead of shocking them with it, and to meet them on the other side with an open heart?—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And just SoundCloud having horrible protection.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Unfortunately, Los Angeles received some horrible news regarding Doncic and Reaves ahead of its matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
There have always been fascist forces, there have always been people who are just terrible in the American government, but at the same time, there are always people who have resisted, and there are always people who have still found ways to create joy, to create life, to create art, despite these.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Marchand’s terrible week ended with joy.—
Adam H. Beasley,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightening. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share