1
2

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 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 Formula 1: On and Off the Track Still a Thrill: Monaco’s narrow track hinders overtaking, but, oh boy, do those tight roads make qualifying hair-raising. Ian Parkes, New York Times, 23 May 2024 The going was beautiful but slow and a little hair-raising as day turned to night. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hair-raising
Adjective
  • The family eventually crosses paths with a corrupt theme-park operator (John Ortiz), his sheriff (Colin Hanks) and a terrifying crime boss (Sharon Stone) before chaos ensues.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The additional terrifying factor was that the plane had only three minutes of fuel left — and Cruise had still not gotten up.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Tim Duncan has 37 points and 16 rebounds, and Tony Parker adds 27 points to help the San Antonio Spurs overpower the Lakers 110-82 to win the Western Conference semifinal series 4-2. 2004 — With one breathtaking surge, Smarty Jones posts a record 11½-length victory in the Preakness.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
  • Known for her boundary-pushing creativity and breathtaking stage presence, Taylor will also be spearheading the creative direction for the 106 & Park 25th Anniversary Tribute.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
  • Major cities like New York were already facing frightening death tolls that climbed higher each day—but that’s not what Eddington is about.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Tucked inside Freeman’s | Hindman on 67th Street, the space was buzzing with good energy, beautiful clothes, and some of the most exciting names in American fashion.
    Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 19 May 2025
  • While seemingly indifferent, like Yi-young, Gi-on actually finds the department exciting and wants to stay.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Each pits a young heroine of humble means against the formidable, possibly sinister lady of the estate; this time, that quintessential Nicole Kidman role is played by a serenely terrifying Julianne Moore.
    Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2025
  • Selling a descent from stress into a state of devastation that can never be shed (only briefly reprised) is the formidable actress Parinaz Izadyar.
    Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Real Madrid is coming off a thrilling match against Barcelona in which Kylian Mbappe scored a hat trick with goals in the 5', 14', and 70'.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • Pretending to apply makeup with toys, or occasionally smearing some real makeup on with adult supervision, can be a healthy way for kids to explore that idea—and a fun, even thrilling way to assert their sense of self.
    Faran Krentcil, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Every celebrity — no matter how small — had at least one stalker or someone obsessed with them, and no fan was creepier or scarier than the ones obsessed with child stars.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 14 May 2025
  • Here’s a scary scenario: You’ve been put in charge of air traffic control at Newark airport near New York.
    Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Maureen Murphy made things interesting late in the third period, cutting the Ottawa lead in half with five minutes remaining.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • There’s something quite interesting about the actor’s experience.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hair-raising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair-raising. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hair-raising

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!