as in frightening
causing fear
heard a terrifying noise coming from the next room
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrifying
Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
The infected have undergone terrifying mutations and expose the depths of humanity’s struggle to endure.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
High school and the idea of not fitting in is much more terrifying for her than any supernatural monster.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Over four songs that span the length of a feature film, Sumac turn The Healer into a beguiling feat of experimental metal that’s at once cleansing and terrifying.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for terrifying 
Adjective
The main characters in the comics are detectives Drew Foster and Kara Vaughn, partners on beauty crime cases who have to find their way past corrupt politicians, vengeful federal agents, and a terrifying mercenary out to collect the price on their heads.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
The infected have undergone terrifying mutations and expose the depths of humanity’s struggle to endure.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
High school and the idea of not fitting in is much more terrifying for her than any supernatural monster.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Over four songs that span the length of a feature film, Sumac turn The Healer into a beguiling feat of experimental metal that’s at once cleansing and terrifying.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for terrifying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrifying
Adjective
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That Daniel Penny acted to defend others from a frightening figure on the train was of no legal relevance, from the prosecution’s point of view, given that Neely did not have a weapon or threaten a specific passenger directly.Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
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However, Humbert decided to go it alone and ended up being the victim of quite a frightening shark attack.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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History says such a two-year performance in itself is neither a scary portent nor a ticket to further riches.Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 Dec. 2024
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On Ghost Adventures, Bagans, Aaron Goodwin, Billy Tolley and Jay Wasley investigate the scariest and most notorious, haunted places in the world.Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Chiefs also have rookie Xavier Worthy, but the team needs another receiver on par with Hopkins to ensure the offense stays formidable.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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The designer leaned into his formidable cutting skills and theatrical bent, designing with high-tech fabrications that interact with smartphones, with foam-like materials, and experimenting in garment reconfiguration.Miles Socha, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Although there is high demand among students for internships and other work opportunities, our education-employer ecosystem is doing a horrible job delivering them.Brandon Busteed, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
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Even as the country seeks to emerge from the legacy of those seven horrible years, however, a new government elected in 2023 has become the first since the fall of the dictatorship to justify the regime’s extrajudicial killings and violent repression.Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Jack McBrayer plays a flustered resort concierge who delivers the terrible news to two bridezilla-esque adults who won’t be walking down the aisle in white but are still very invested in the nuptials.Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
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Food is terrible, the vibe is off, absolutely trash.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Only six years older than Crystal, the comedian still found Scorsese intimidating.Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 16 Dec. 2024
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But what’s really intimidating is looking at his size-21 shoes.Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near terrifying
Cite this Entry
“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrifying. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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