frightening
adjective
fright·en·ing
ˈfrī-tᵊn-iŋ 
ˈfrīt-niŋ
: causing fear
frightening news
a very frightening experience
The man with red eyes made the frightening grimace that passed for his smile.—
Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'EngleFor a man who had tussled with crocs, venomous snakes and other frightening creatures, this was going to be a leisurely swim.—Jennifer Wulff et al.
Jennifer Wulff et al.Examples of frightening in a Sentence
a truly frightening movie
Recent Examples on the Web
After the frightening threat, the man suddenly ran off in an unknown direction.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
Serena Joy Waterford is among the most frightening, dead-hearted women ever written for the small screen.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
In besieged Gaza, where more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in more than 18 months of war with Israel, Christians there were deeply moved by Pope Francis' nightly phone call to them offering comfort amid the frightening conflict.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
Mat, per usual, really goes for a ride in this episode — including a near-death experience and a frightening run-in with a wish-granting creature.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
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Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
Serena Joy Waterford is among the most frightening, dead-hearted women ever written for the small screen.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
In besieged Gaza, where more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in more than 18 months of war with Israel, Christians there were deeply moved by Pope Francis' nightly phone call to them offering comfort amid the frightening conflict.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
Mat, per usual, really goes for a ride in this episode — including a near-death experience and a frightening run-in with a wish-granting creature.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Cite this Entry
“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frightening. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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