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
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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
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The previous version of the immersive attraction brought guests face to face with the terrifying flickering TV screen, the menacing beast from beyond, and the pool filled with floating corpses.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Girlie joins a team of content moderators who are mostly women of color, swiping through terrifying scenes at the company’s offices in Las Vegas for enough money to keep their families afloat.—
Sarah Rose Etter,
The Atlantic,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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With its breathtaking views and uncompromising natural beauty, Aspen’s particular cultural phenomenon is its understanding that aesthetics are not ornamental but essential.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
5 Aug. 2025
-
In warmer weather, accordion glass doors open to the outdoor patio with breathtaking views.—
Kinsey Giddick,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Amy Madigan’s striking performance is both funny and frightening, her witch an ancient, otherworldly being that only really understands power.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Chad Michael Murray's journey to acting began with a frightening trip to the hospital.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Drake Maye showed a lot of promise last year, which is exciting enough, but the Patriots built up the offense around him a lot better heading into the season.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Having a baby is such an exciting time, every time.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
After decades of battling brutal conditions in the Bering Sea, Hansen, 59, is now facing something even more formidable than icy waves — his own mortality.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Huntington Beach: The Oilers remain formidable with the return of All-County duo of Roxie Shaia and Taylor Savage at quarterback and wide receiver, respectively. 4.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Tune the channel to ABC at 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon to catch a thrilling WNBA basketball contest between the Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
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These algorithms shape so much of our lives in a way that is both thrilling and uncomfortable.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
No one seems to know, and that might be the scariest part.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Sophie Cunningham suffered a scary right knee injury that forced her to exit the Indiana Fever’s game against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Clarkson and Blackstock's divorce settlement made headlines in part for the inclusion of one interesting detail: their children's vaccination status.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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However, his new costar Eddie Murphy had an interesting approach to sharing his wisdom.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hair-raising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair-raising. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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