1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a frightful sound emanated from somewhere deep within the forest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
I couldn't listen to the frightful details of the murder trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
flew into a frightful fit of rage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frightful
Each envelope containing the clue was inside a box filled with some frightful creature — rats, snakes, a tarantula, millipedes, and cockroaches.
—
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
Wait for a day when the weather outside isn't too frightful, and hit a bike path or do a little off-roading to get some fresh air.
—Mia Taylor, Parents, 7 Jan. 2026
Jon Murray When the weather outside is frightful, the reading is so delightful.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Because the weather outside is about to get frightful.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
Wait for a day when the weather outside isn't too frightful, and hit a bike path or do a little off-roading to get some fresh air.
—Mia Taylor, Parents, 7 Jan. 2026
Jon Murray When the weather outside is frightful, the reading is so delightful.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Because the weather outside is about to get frightful.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightful
Adjective
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Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
War isn’t the only thing in the Outlander universe that can deliver a gruesome death.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
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The filings also revealed a gruesome new detail about the case and provided some clarity about Burke’s status in the eyes of prosecutors.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The United States has pledged to keep the strait open and has led intense airstrikes targeting Iran's navy and the port city of Bandar Abbas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
-
This intense demand is driving significant activity among niche data providers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Combined with their high reproduction rate, containment is a formidable challenge for state wildlife managers.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
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The task was formidable, but not because of Moy Sing’s lack of wealth or social prominence.—
Charlotte Brooks,
Big Think,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Casap may never change after ‘horrific’ crimes First-degree intentional homicide carries a mandatory life sentence.—
Todd Richmond,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Mougey and Jets coach Aaron Glenn will enter a critical offseason following a horrific 3-14 record.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Experts say the unique geology of California’s fields, and the nature of its heavy crude, make new projects, and efforts to pump more oil out of existing ones, costlier and more energy-intensive than drilling in other parts of the country.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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Still, the food supply chain is incredibly energy-intensive, with high sums of energy required at each stage of the process.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And for Slusser, born and raised as a Christian in Texas, just a year and a half living in Northern California had taken a frightening toll.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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Protests that kind of were merging toward violence or at least frightening to our diplomats.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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After the horrible murder of Rob Reiner and his wife, legions of fans revisited to the director’s films, and this is one of his best.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
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But today, the building is in horrible shape.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frightful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightful. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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