as in horror
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay
had heard stories about the frightfulness of the entrance exams
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightfulness
Noun
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Crystallizing in the early ’90s at a time when American death metal was leaning into gory extremity (and the Norwegians were just actually killing people), the style offered a whimsical counterbalance to all the shock and horror.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026 -
An emotional mind sees horrors and fears where none exists.—
Roger Van Zanen,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Both warring parties have been accused of atrocities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
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At the time, its leaders were accused of committing widespread atrocities, including rape, torture and murder — accusations the party has consistently rejected.—
Shamim Chowdhury,
NPR,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There is no way to sugarcoat the awfulness of those months of anxiety.—
Kate Callen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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Traditionally a dumping ground for films studios have no belief in, the first month of the year occasionally offers up films that stand out, whether due to memeability, genuine quality, or sheer rancid awfulness.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
21 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Frightfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightfulness. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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