as in frightening
causing fear
heard a terrifying noise coming from the next room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scaring
to strike with fear
the prospect of speaking in front of a huge crowd of people absolutely terrifies me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of terrifying
Owen Clarke, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
This combination is why measles can rip through schools, clinics and crowded spaces with terrifying speed.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Nbc Los Angeles, NBC news, 2 Dec. 2025
Going out in public is terrifying for Bob.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrifying
Adjective
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort staff recently installed a live webcam at the top of one of North America’s most famous—and terrifying—ski runs, and the Internet is loving it.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
This combination is why measles can rip through schools, clinics and crowded spaces with terrifying speed.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Ken Johnson, the homeowner, said Monday that the bear has been growling and hissing, terrifying him and his cat.
—Nbc Los Angeles, NBC news, 2 Dec. 2025
Going out in public is terrifying for Bob.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrifying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrifying
Adjective
-
But that depiction was picked apart by a vast array of online onlookers, from law enforcement experts to ordinary Instagram users, some of whom replayed the videos frame by frame and zoomed in to show the episode in frightening detail.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
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The news this week that CPW employees are facing a variety of threats from radical elements in both groups of Coloradans strikes us as ironic sad — and frightening.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
How to tell her about this terrible event without scaring her?—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
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California’s declines can be more properties for sale, nudging sellers to compete on price, and a wobbly economy scaring off some potential buyers.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Director Marianna Bassham loves working on pieces that are a bit scary.—
Courtney Cole,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
George Price wasn’t some scary underworld figure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Saturday, startling his sister.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Schwesinger was the favorite coming into the night after a tremendous year at middle linebacker for a formidable Browns defense despite what the record may say in 2025.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Premiering every week on HBO to rave reviews from fans and critics alike, this season has kicked things into fifth gear and created a formidable villain in newcomer Whitney Halberstram (Max Minghella).—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The killing and execution of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the horrible lies perpetuated by this government are abhorrent.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
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Someone should start talking about improving the state’s horrible inability to attract fellow Americans.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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America just passed the 50th anniversary of one of its truly terrible days — one that future historians can track as the beginning of the end of our democracy.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Busch was terrible defensively at third.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Chen describes it as more agile and less intimidating.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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That is very intimidating to a lot of guys, so a guy needs to be able to stand in that with me.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrifying. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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