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hair-raising

adjective

ˈher-ˌrā-ziŋ How to pronounce hair-raising (audio)
Definition of hair-raisingnext
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

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 hair-raising 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 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 See All Example Sentences for hair-raising
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hair-raising
  1. terrifying
  2. breathtaking
  3. frightening
  4. exciting
  5. formidable
  6. thrilling
  7. scary
  8. interesting
Adjective
  • Although the encounter itself was terrifying, revelations about Shrine’s past have compounded her fears.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The movie blows up, and so are do lives—in exciting, but also terrifying, ways.
    — Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • Water glitters in a golden marsh stretching from the shore, promising breathtaking sunsets.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In January 2023, the group joined Beyoncé for a breathtaking private concert at the Atlantis The Royal grand resort in Dubai, performing in front of famous guests like Kendall Jenner, Chlöe Bailey, Halle Bailey and Rebel Wilson.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of breathtaking
Adjective
  • Compulsory worship with frightening dogma, which could lead you equally plausibly to heaven or hell.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Alex Bregman went 4 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs in his second game back from a frightening injury, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Boston Red Sox 6-2 on Sunday in a regular-season finale that was relocated to Tropicana Field.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • Here’s to a safe, healthy and exciting new school year ahead.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Learning about the finance side has also been an exciting challenge.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of exciting
Adjective
  • DeFoe has very limited experience fishing at Lake Hamilton, but his partner Gill is one of the most formidable specialists with forward-facing sonar.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Both EVs share a formidable powertrain specced for serious performance, and feature futuristic styling that wouldn't be out of place in a cyberpunk future.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • Its basement level, though, has a modern history all its own, where an improbable number of right-moment, right-time restaurants have operated since early last decade — including its latest, exceptionally thrilling occupant.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The players and coaches on the UCF football team have already experienced an emotional rollercoaster in this young season, with thrilling victories and a disappointing loss.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of thrilling
Adjective
  • Taking on something this scary freed up a lot of emotional bandwidth.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The annual attraction that celebrates the scariest holiday has new digs — Tropical Park in West Miami-Dade.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of scary
Adjective
  • If studios and financiers knew what was going to work every time, everyone would be rich and the industry would be a lot less interesting.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Bentley The hood gets some interesting detailing, along with a chrome trim along its sides.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of interesting

Browse Nearby Words

hair-raisers
hair-raising
hairs
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Cite this Entry

“Hair-raising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair-raising. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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