as in terrifying
causing fear
a truly frightening movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scaring
to strike with fear
around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frightening
The New York Times, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
But this consecration can be frightening too, as Western stars have almost immediately embraced Nigerian sounds.
—Billboard France, Billboard, 14 Feb. 2025
Balti shows us that there is beauty in even the most difficult and frightening phases of life.
—Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Read the issue » The result was a little frightening in its modern sense of detachment; in its remote, authoritative rigor; and in its gimlet-eyed, Olympian overview of clearly sordid motives.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Adjective
But none of those actions are as frightening to Mr. Thompson as the president handing Mr. Musk a powerful, unorthodox agency job.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
But this consecration can be frightening too, as Western stars have almost immediately embraced Nigerian sounds.
—Billboard France, Billboard, 14 Feb. 2025
Balti shows us that there is beauty in even the most difficult and frightening phases of life.
—Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Read the issue » The result was a little frightening in its modern sense of detachment; in its remote, authoritative rigor; and in its gimlet-eyed, Olympian overview of clearly sordid motives.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightening
Adjective
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His first book, Dark Days vividly and unflinchingly chronicled his terrifying experience being jailed on charges of manslaughter (he was acquitted on all counts).—
Bill Kopp,
SPIN,
20 Feb. 2025
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For those who have watched DOGE storm into their workplace, what is perhaps most terrifying is its attempts to scale.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Soto, Judge trade barbs Once, long ago — ahem, last season — Juan Soto and Aaron Judge formed the scariest hitting combination in MLB.—
Chris Branch,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
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But like the best scary movies, Horror has a strong ending.—
Brendan Hay,
SPIN,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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JPMorgan said the stock is at an attractive entry point with lower expectations and a formidable path for growth.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
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Helmed by Derrick Borte, Bear Country follows an ageing but formidable club owner, Manco Kapak (Crowe), who is robbed by a masked gunman, leaving his aspirations of selling his club and riding off into the sunset alongside his razor sharp girlfriend Sunny (Palmer) more distant than ever.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
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Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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There are so many horrible things happening in the world.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2025
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Still, a light at the end of this very horrible long tunnel might be a bit more visible at this time.—
Greg Palkot,
Fox News,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This is, on paper, a terrible idea for all involved.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Until its proves otherwise, Miami sits mediocre at ninth-best in the 16-team AFC -- not terrible, surely not the dregs ... but not a contender.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For many, the All Blacks are well-known for performing an intimidating pregame haka dance, a Maori ritual used to fire up the players and fans before a match.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
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Small breed dogs, such as Cavalier King Charles spaniel and Maltese, are probably the most eligible to cohabitate with cats because of their gentle and affectionate nature and their small size, which is less intimidating to cats.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightening. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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