1
as in terrifying
causing fear
hair-raising stories of headless corpses and disembodied screams
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in breathtaking
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
a theme park that is legendary for its lightning-fast roller-coaster and other hair-raising rides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of hair-raising
His own pharmaceutical quest is nothing short of hair-raising.
—
Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
Then into motorboats for hair-raising dashes through tortuous canals and across rough water to dams far back in some vast marsh.
—Nash Buckingham, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025
The term hair-raising takes on new meaning as two performers contort their bodies high above the stage, connected only by their coiffures.
—Karen D'souza, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Led by vocalist Christina Michelle’s hair-raising screams, Deep Sage mangles everything in its path with thick basslines and switchblade guitars until the floor is bloodied but the air, at long last, is cleansed.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024
Oh, there are plenty of opportunity for that: Feliz says the season only gets more hair-raising from here.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024
The reason this seems hair-raising is that most generative AI is devised to wait for the human to initiate a conversation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
Among them were experienced mountaineers accustomed to steep terrain where any fall could be fatal, and casual hikers who had never before attempted to climb anything as hair-raising.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024
The players’ recounted exploits are at once hair-raising, nostalgic and moving.
—Drew Goins, Washington Post, 31 July 2024
Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
Then into motorboats for hair-raising dashes through tortuous canals and across rough water to dams far back in some vast marsh.
—Nash Buckingham, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025
The term hair-raising takes on new meaning as two performers contort their bodies high above the stage, connected only by their coiffures.
—Karen D'souza, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Led by vocalist Christina Michelle’s hair-raising screams, Deep Sage mangles everything in its path with thick basslines and switchblade guitars until the floor is bloodied but the air, at long last, is cleansed.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024
Oh, there are plenty of opportunity for that: Feliz says the season only gets more hair-raising from here.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024
The reason this seems hair-raising is that most generative AI is devised to wait for the human to initiate a conversation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
Among them were experienced mountaineers accustomed to steep terrain where any fall could be fatal, and casual hikers who had never before attempted to climb anything as hair-raising.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024
The players’ recounted exploits are at once hair-raising, nostalgic and moving.
—Drew Goins, Washington Post, 31 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hair-raising
Adjective
-
Last year, a woman in France shared hair-raising footage of her terrifying encounter with a spider.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The existentialist who sits at my desk feels we are each individually thrown into the deep end of existence and tasked with swimming, and that this is a terrifying and heavy task.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Against this backdrop of global excellence, the Saudi Red Sea is notable for its unique blend of luxury, adventure, and authenticity along its breathtaking 1,000-plus-mile (1,800-kilometer) Red Sea coastline.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Their lot perched above the Pacific, with a view that stretches to Catalina Island, is too breathtaking to give up.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The sixth inning also featured a frightening moment when Cleveland’s David Fry, squaring around to bunt, took a 99 mph fastball from Skubal off his face, crumpling to the dirt as Skubal reacted with distress.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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Visitors enter a space of torture featuring frightening medical tests and experiments.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This Thursday’s episode of The Run-Through covers a lot of exciting ground.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Milk is a classic cookie counterpart, but Addison also recommends a side of Greek yogurt for something a little more exciting (and surprising).—
Audrey Bruno,
SELF,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Technological challenges also proved formidable, as ambitious projects like Sealab failed.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Ong will discuss the strategies and creative principles behind the media giant’s approach to leveraging its formidable library of IP in the gaming world.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But the Drama is also equally thrilling and edifying, much like the experience of witnessing Cardi’s rise and watching her maneuver celebrity, heartbreak and beef at the highest level.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Sledding down paths carved through a moonlit forest is a thrilling experience, and the adrenaline will work off any rich meal.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Kimmel, who has spent most of his late-night career as a flippant but not particularly scandalous figure, acknowledged just how scary things had become that the White House might take aim at him.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
24 Sep. 2025
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Halloween, naturally scary, but also naturally really weird.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The bottom line There are worthwhile pieces at the top of the lineup and some interesting additions to the mix, but the Islanders’ biggest reasons for long-term, legitimate excitement are Schaefer’s arrival and a fresh approach in the front office that has already seemed to pay dividends.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
At 32 years old, Weaver is unlikely to receive a long-term deal, so his free agency will be interesting in terms of length and value for a pitcher past his prime looking to convert back from the bullpen to the starting rotation.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hair-raising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair-raising. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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