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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3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
flew into a frightful fit of rage
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frightful
However, owners should also be cautious of potential dangers and hazards of outdoor adventures, as this pet parent learned from the dog's frightful fall.
—
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Shudder's library offers a broader selection of high-quality, frightful fare.
—PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
This was that the huge economic slowdown, the Great Depression at its absolutely frightful trough in 1933, in good part was happening because people had a preference for holding gold over cash.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Perplexing, and on this day frightful.
—Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Shudder's library offers a broader selection of high-quality, frightful fare.
—PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
This was that the huge economic slowdown, the Great Depression at its absolutely frightful trough in 1933, in good part was happening because people had a preference for holding gold over cash.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Perplexing, and on this day frightful.
—Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightful
Adjective
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But a computer sensor wasn’t needed to confirm his terrifying speed.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Halloween was significantly more graphic than many of its predecessors, and Zombie said the gruesome violence was a deliberate choice and that it wasn’t supposed to be easy viewing.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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The five-minute mash-up rapidly intercuts scenes of happy domesticity (a loving mother, kids in face paint eating popcorn in front of the tube, teens affectionately goofing around) with gruesome murders committed by a beautiful little boy.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Gas and dust fall into a rotating disk around the black hole, and as the debris spirals more rapidly, it becomes superheated, releasing intense radiation.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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True Ipomea batatas has bright orange flesh (although modern varieties have much more intense colors than older forms), occasionally white and rarely purple.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Mesidor has formed a formidable one-two punch on the Hurricanes’ defensive line with Rueben Bain Jr.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
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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
Adjective
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As this horrific scene is being investigated, prayers on behalf of our entire International Union are with those killed, injured, and affected, including their families, co-workers, and loved ones.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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The Washington Commanders took the brunt of criticism on Sunday after quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a horrific arm injury in the team’s 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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His label pioneered the industry’s intensive training system, recruiting performers as young as elementary school age and putting them through years of rigorous preparation.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Nov. 2025
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Though similarly intensive, Leni's look provided a stark contrast to mom Heidi’s costume, which leaned more spooky than cute — and took inspiration from an older tale.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But the trailer also offers a glimpse a frightening car crash that derails their career and life plans.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
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There were no spooky increases at the pumps or frightening fuel costs this Halloween.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And just SoundCloud having horrible protection.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Frightful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightful. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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