as in terrifying
causing fear
a truly frightening movie
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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
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Recent Examples of frightening
Ollie Barder, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
While there are far more powerful lasers out there, seeing a battlefield drone wielding this type of technology would be truly frightening.
—New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2024
In the dark winter months, Krampus associations in villages hold parades, playfully frightening onlookers on Krampusnacht by chasing them and hitting them with sticks during a run through the streets.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024
Or maybe the next gen of AI swerves us even deeper into the uncanny valley in yet unknown and frightening ways.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for frightening 
Adjective
Froud’s designs created a frightening world of rapaciously evil monsters, including the Skeksis and the chitinous Garthim, as well as the kind Mystics and the ethereal Gelfling.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
While there are far more powerful lasers out there, seeing a battlefield drone wielding this type of technology would be truly frightening.
—New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2024
In the dark winter months, Krampus associations in villages hold parades, playfully frightening onlookers on Krampusnacht by chasing them and hitting them with sticks during a run through the streets.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024
Or maybe the next gen of AI swerves us even deeper into the uncanny valley in yet unknown and frightening ways.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for frightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightening
Adjective
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What’s more terrifying than losing control of your physical and mental self as your most primal, animalistic instincts take the wheel?David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025
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The stability and flexibility around Josh Allen makes for a terrifying formula.Derrik Klassen, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Which sounds kind of nerdy and scary simultaneously.Davey Winder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
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In the pilot alone, season two feels a little scarier than one.Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Someone, anyone, needs to step up and take the reins here, as the Flyers have looked formidable otherwise.Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
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After navigating a few early hiccups—which included, of all things, snail slime—TikTok Shop proved formidable; the app’s surge in vendors outpaced competitors like Amazon, which TikTok ultimately wants to replace (or at least dethrone).Jason Parham, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Adjective
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Given this area’s rich history with horrible weather and big events at this time of year, there is still a chance that the Cotton Bowl will be postponed until Saturday.Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2025
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How horrible for my sweet little nephews to watch their house disappear like this.Becca Longmire, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Los Angeles wildfires have been a terrible tragedy.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
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The start of the Palisades and Eaton Fires was a case of terrible timing: A drought had turned abundant vegetation into crisp fire fuel, and the winter rains were absent.Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Learning new skills Technology advancements may feel intimidating but can be learned.Melissa Houston, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
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Bob Veale, one of the most intimidating pitchers of the 1960s who is credited with inventing a popular baseball saying, passed away at age 89.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near frightening
Cite this Entry
“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightening. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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