1
as in terrifying
causing fear
hair-raising stories of headless corpses and disembodied screams
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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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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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hair-raising
Adjective
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When the body of a young man is found eerily staged in the idyllic Scottish wilderness, detective Monica Kennedy fears this is just the beginning of a terrifying campaign that will strike the heart of a rural community.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
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The terrifying moment that passengers were made to put on oxygen masks was captured on video.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Runners will love the 1,300-foot outdoor running track located on the hotel’s rooftop featuring breathtaking views of the city.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
-
The 54-year-old actor kicked back in a luxury seaside bungalow, complete with a private infinity pool and breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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The fumes are certainly easier to ignore or deny than the visceral, immediate violence of serial murder—which is much rarer, and yet, for many, much more frightening.—
Sarah Weinman,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2025
-
Which isn’t to say that the film isn’t frightening.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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The jungle backdrop, unique architecture, exciting food scene, and turquoise ocean views make Tulum an incredibly romantic place for couples to escape.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
24 June 2025
-
So many brands are putting the red in red, white, and blue with exciting price cuts this July 4th.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
But Martone is one of the very best prospects in this draft and gives the Flyers size, high-end skill (he’s got plus traits as a shooter, handler and playmaker), and a formidable one-two punch at right wing with Matvei Michkov.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
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The actress portrayed formidable sensei Kim Da-Eun on the Netflix series that ended in February after six seasons.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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The official Black Caesar’s Revenge story synopsis reads: At the heart of this thrilling adventure story is the charismatic Black Caesar, hailing from the Oyo Kingdom (now Nigeria) and gradually bestowed with devastating (and bedeviling) powers from the deities known as Orishas.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
-
The adventure takes a thrilling turn when Gates steals the Declaration of Independence to protect it from falling into the wrong hands.—
Jené Luciani Sena
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
The blend of physical locations with sets and digital imagery is seamless and the CG work on the creatures is first-rate, notably so in the scary climactic stretch when the lumbering D. Rex joins the fray.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
-
This was in the days when only lunatics or scary white punks had shaved heads.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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That in itself is worth discovering, but Jordan, too, is an interesting place to visit, not only because of its history, but also because of its unique geography in the world.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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It was meant to encourage community and creativity, letting users showcase interesting prompts and responses.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hair-raising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair-raising. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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