Synonyms of frightful

frightful

adjective

ˈfrīt-fəl 

1

as in terrifying

causing fear

a frightful sound emanated from somewhere deep within the forest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terrifying
• formidable
• frightening
• scary
• horrible
• terrible
• intimidating
• dread
• alarming
• fearful
• dreadful
• horrifying
• direful
• shocking
• ghastly
• eerie
• startling
• creepy
• horrendous
• fearsome
• dire
• gruesome
• eery
• forbidding
• spine-chilling
• redoubtable
• troubling
• hair-raising
• disturbing
• threatening
• trying
• unnerving
• daunting
• hideous
• dismaying
• discouraging
• disconcerting
• disquieting
• perturbing
• weird
• distressing
• demoralizing
• nightmarish
• grisly
• awful
• macabre
• appalling
• horrid
• monstrous
• bone-chilling
• atrocious
• grewsome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• comforting
• reassuring
• soothing
• relaxing
• calming
• inviting
• tranquilizing
• consoling
• quieting
• tranquillizing
• nonthreatening
• lulling
• pacifying
• nonintimidating

2

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent

I couldn't listen to the frightful details of the murder trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gruesome
• horrific
• terrible
• nightmare
• shocking
• horrible
• frightening
• terrific
• dreadful
• horrifying
• terrifying
• hideous
• awful
• scary
• nightmarish
• grisly
• ghastly
• appalling
• horrid
• macabre
• monstrous
• horrendous
• sickening
• atrocious
• lurid
• disgusting
• fearful
• grewsome
• alarming
• formidable
• ugly
• dire
• direful
• grotesque
• obscene
• loathsome
• fearsome
• disagreeable
• abominable
• unspeakable
• repulsive
• revolting
• offensive
• odious
• heinous
• deplorable
• evil
• forbidding
• repugnant
• intimidating
• obnoxious
• abhorrent
• bloodcurdling
• redoubtable
• vile
• gut-wrenching
• hair-raising
• distasteful
• noxious
• noisome
• heart-stopping
• unsightly
• nauseating
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• delightful
• attractive
• delicious
• welcome
• agreeable
• enjoyable
• pleasurable
• satisfying
• delectable
• appealing
• pleasing
• enticing
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

3

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

flew into a frightful fit of rage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• intensive
• terrible
• fierce
• ferocious
• deep
• furious
• violent
• dreadful
• heavy
• profound
• ghastly
• vicious
• fearful
• acute
• fearsome
• explosive
• exquisite
• excruciating
• blistering
• vehement
• hard
• hellacious
• keen
• heavy-duty
• almighty
• intensified
• harsh
• aggravated
• severe
• heightened
• magnified
• concentrated
• enhanced
• exhaustive
• stressed
• thorough
• deepened
• accentuated
• rigorous
• emphasized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• moderate
• feeble
• soft
• weak
• superficial
• shallow
• eased
• qualified
• decreased
• moderated
• subdued
• toned (down)
• diminished
• reduced
• lightened
• lessened
• abated
• alleviated

Examples of frightful in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the frightful moment, Harry and Fallon watched an eerie video of Fallon holding a pup. —Rachel Burchfield, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2024

Just in time for spooky season, Extra Holidays is offering up to 20 percent off resort stays located in cities with Halloween spirit, activities vary from family-friendly to completely frightful—you've been warned. —Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2024

Was there a frightful amount of unseen collateral damage from Agatha’s airborne clash with the Scarlet Witch in the WandaVision finale? —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 21 Sep. 2024

Whenever someone speaks of Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece The Shining, most likely the first image that pops into your mind is Duvall's frightful reaction when Jack Nicholson axes the bathroom door. —Rendy Jones, EW.com, 12 July 2024