terrifying

adjective

ter·​ri·​fy·​ing ˈter-ə-ˌfī-iŋ How to pronounce terrifying (audio)
ˈte-rə-
Synonyms of terrifyingnext
1
: causing terror or apprehension
2
: of a formidable nature
terrifyingly adverb

Examples of terrifying in a Sentence

The thought of dying alone was terrifying. heard a terrifying noise coming from the next room
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the world of The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the greatest threat to survival; the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and more terrifying. Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025 Take Me With You by Steven Rowley When college professor Jesse del Ruth’s husband vanishes into a mysterious beam of light after 30 years together, Jesse is left grappling with grief, betrayal, and the terrifying question of how to live alone. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025 The Houston Rockets are terrifying. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025 Watch Krampus on Peacock The Lodge A happy holiday turns cold when two children are snowed in during Christmas at a remote winter cabin with their soon-to-be stepmother (Riley Keough), whose visions of her cultist past trigger terrifying behavior for the trio in this 2019 horror thriller. Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terrifying

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrifying was circa 1586

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Cite this Entry

“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrifying. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on terrifying

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