Synonyms of frightful

frightful

adjective

ˈfrīt-fəl 

1

as in terrifying

causing fear

a frightful sound emanated from somewhere deep within the forest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terrifying
• formidable
• frightening
• scary
• horrible
• terrible
• intimidating
• dread
• alarming
• fearful
• dreadful
• horrifying
• direful
• shocking
• ghastly
• eerie
• startling
• creepy
• horrendous
• fearsome
• dire
• gruesome
• eery
• forbidding
• spine-chilling
• redoubtable
• troubling
• hair-raising
• disturbing
• threatening
• trying
• unnerving
• daunting
• hideous
• dismaying
• discouraging
• disconcerting
• disquieting
• perturbing
• weird
• distressing
• demoralizing
• nightmarish
• grisly
• awful
• macabre
• appalling
• horrid
• monstrous
• bone-chilling
• atrocious
• grewsome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• comforting
• reassuring
• soothing
• relaxing
• calming
• inviting
• tranquilizing
• consoling
• quieting
• tranquillizing
• nonthreatening
• lulling
• pacifying
• nonintimidating

2

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent

I couldn't listen to the frightful details of the murder trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gruesome
• horrific
• terrible
• nightmare
• shocking
• horrible
• frightening
• terrific
• dreadful
• horrifying
• terrifying
• hideous
• awful
• scary
• nightmarish
• grisly
• ghastly
• appalling
• horrid
• macabre
• monstrous
• horrendous
• sickening
• atrocious
• lurid
• disgusting
• fearful
• grewsome
• alarming
• formidable
• ugly
• dire
• direful
• grotesque
• obscene
• loathsome
• fearsome
• disagreeable
• abominable
• unspeakable
• repulsive
• revolting
• offensive
• odious
• heinous
• deplorable
• evil
• forbidding
• repugnant
• intimidating
• obnoxious
• abhorrent
• bloodcurdling
• redoubtable
• vile
• gut-wrenching
• hair-raising
• distasteful
• noxious
• noisome
• heart-stopping
• unsightly
• nauseating
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• delightful
• attractive
• delicious
• welcome
• agreeable
• enjoyable
• pleasurable
• satisfying
• delectable
• appealing
• pleasing
• enticing
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

3

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

flew into a frightful fit of rage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• intensive
• terrible
• fierce
• ferocious
• deep
• furious
• violent
• dreadful
• heavy
• profound
• ghastly
• vicious
• fearful
• acute
• fearsome
• explosive
• exquisite
• excruciating
• blistering
• vehement
• hard
• hellacious
• keen
• heavy-duty
• almighty
• intensified
• harsh
• aggravated
• severe
• heightened
• magnified
• concentrated
• enhanced
• exhaustive
• stressed
• thorough
• deepened
• accentuated
• rigorous
• emphasized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• moderate
• feeble
• soft
• weak
• superficial
• shallow
• eased
• qualified
• decreased
• moderated
• subdued
• toned (down)
• diminished
• reduced
• lightened
• lessened
• abated
• alleviated

Examples of frightful in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The weather outside is frightful, with clumps of snow falling at the rate of about an inch per hour. —Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2024

Families with young children can always visit the park during the day as the frightful activities commence after 6:30 P.M. Are there rides at Halloween Horror Nights? —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

The Dodgers and their frightful collection of lumber, for the record, will do that to plenty of arms. —Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024

Oh the weather outside may be frightful, but the performances at iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2023 in Los Angeles on Friday night sure were delightful. —EW.com, 2 Dec. 2023