terrifying
adjective
ter·ri·fy·ing
ˈter-ə-ˌfī-iŋ 
ˈte-rə-
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
After reviewing footage from monitoring cameras set up in the child’s room, the father, who has not been publicly identified, saw a terrifying incident of violence against his son, which had taken place two days earlier, according to authorities.
—
Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
Many mothers in the Twin Cities marched the streets in the wake of the murders and terrifying kidnappings by ICE, and many mothers organized in other ways, moving food and money to food shelves, families sheltering-in-place, and rent relief funds.
—Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
The Beyem Seo pack killed more than 92 calves and sheep in just over six months, ranging close to ranches, homes and schools and terrifying local families.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
This team’s artistic vision for this terrifying story has been undeniable – striking, distinct and genuinely unsettling.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrifying
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Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
Many mothers in the Twin Cities marched the streets in the wake of the murders and terrifying kidnappings by ICE, and many mothers organized in other ways, moving food and money to food shelves, families sheltering-in-place, and rent relief funds.
—Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
The Beyem Seo pack killed more than 92 calves and sheep in just over six months, ranging close to ranches, homes and schools and terrifying local families.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
This team’s artistic vision for this terrifying story has been undeniable – striking, distinct and genuinely unsettling.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrifying
Cite this Entry
“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrifying. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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