frightful

adjective

ˈfrīt-fəl How to pronounce frightful (audio)
Definition of frightfulnext
1
as in terrifying
causing fear a frightful sound emanated from somewhere deep within the forest

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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

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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

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 frightful Their first thought was that perhaps Jeff King had killed the Wellses’ dog, a frightful notion on its own. — Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026 On the front, there might be frightful faces, either side of the belly. — Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026 John Tufts The weather outside is about to get frightful as a potentially dangerous winter storm crawls its way across the country. — John Tufts, IndyStar, 23 Jan. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for frightful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightful
  1. terrifying
  2. gruesome
  3. intense
  4. formidable
  5. horrific
  6. intensive
  7. frightening
  8. horrible
Adjective
  • View gallery - 5 images What sounds more terrifying than a part-cockroach, part-robot cyborg?
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • One of the most terrifying aspects of being a teen is the continuous change.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • The rest of the trailer is filled with the kind of Eighties-style excess — with a gruesome tinge — that showcases what a good match Ellis and Murphy are for each other.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026
  • Their early live shows were marked by ominous guitar riffs, blast beats, and gruesome antics onstage, feeding into the early signs of a new heavy metal subgenre that would become death metal.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • Research shows warming temperatures from burning coal, oil and gas are making fires more frequent and intense.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
  • After an intense tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, in which matches have been played in extreme heat and sometimes at altitude, freshness come Sunday could certainly be crucial.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • In the $200,000 San Clemente Handicap 35-1 longshot Somerset West (Armando Ayuso) outran nine other 3-year-old fillies, including three formidable challengers who shipped in from the east.
    — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
  • Ohtani spearheads the game’s most formidable hypothetical October rotation.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • On one level, Knife is a story of survival and recovery after a horrific attack.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 July 2026
  • Mosley’s case drew the attention of Guardian Angel founder and 2025 Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, who stood with animal lovers in demanding a stiff penalty in response to the cat’s horrific death.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • Yet the end goal of this liberation movement appears to be a more intense brand of intensive parenting.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
  • Rising costs across the produce supply chain Growing everything from strawberries to collard greens is labor intensive, and for many years, worker shortages have compelled farms to hike wages.
    — Elizabeth Canales, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • However, changing the Social Security formula to a means-testing base, and applying it immediately to all existing Social Security recipients, is a frightening idea.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2026
  • Panettiere's pregnancy was marked by a series of frightening health scares.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • My husband holds the pamphlet close to his face in bed the next morning, my light creating a horrible glare on the glossy paper.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • The family wants to have accountability for this horrible crime.
    — Eric Shawn, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of horrible

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frightens
frightful
frightfully
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Cite this Entry

“Frightful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightful. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of frightful for Spanish Speakers

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