as in terrifying
causing fear
a truly frightening movie
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scaring
to strike with fear
around the campfire the campers tried to frighten one another with ghostly legends and grisly tales
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frightening
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
But the prospect of a great-power conflict turning into something like the cataclysmic world wars of the last century is frightening—adding urgency to plans that are designed to produce a quick victory with conventional forces.
—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
In the episode, O'Dowd and Jones play Mike and Amanda, respectively, a couple living a happy and simple life until Amanda suffers a frightening medical emergency and passes out.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
But don't let the name fool you, Murderbot isn't actually the frightening story of a dangerous security robot.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Adjective
This is frightening news for families putting together a home care plan for elderly family members.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
But the prospect of a great-power conflict turning into something like the cataclysmic world wars of the last century is frightening—adding urgency to plans that are designed to produce a quick victory with conventional forces.
—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
In the episode, O'Dowd and Jones play Mike and Amanda, respectively, a couple living a happy and simple life until Amanda suffers a frightening medical emergency and passes out.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
But don't let the name fool you, Murderbot isn't actually the frightening story of a dangerous security robot.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frightening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightening
Adjective
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The teaser trailer showcases the epic highs and lows of professional football, with a focus on the lows, as all of this looks terrifying.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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But despite the terrifying name, giant viruses aren’t necessarily any more dangerous than a standard-sized species.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The frontman proved expressive and animated despite serious hearing issues that sidelined him for a few scary years, and a voice that, understandably, doesn’t always have the sustain and power of earlier days.—
Katherine Turman,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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Stocks have outperformed cash, bonds, and inflation by a wide margin over the long term despite many setbacks, many much scarier than tariffs or recession.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Mike has fostered a collaborative environment with a team committed to building a formidable global business – innovating and trailblazing at every level.—
Billboard Staff,
Billboard,
28 Apr. 2025
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There are formidable breakfast burritos to be devoured all over Greater Los Angeles and Orange County.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
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Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Wade has been in a horrible slump since the season started and going in to Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels is hitting .096 (5-for-52) with a homer, seven RBIs, eight walks and an on base percentage of .213.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Braves desperately need to add a shortstop and some offensive help amid their horrible start to the season.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Public interest in the film intensified after a stroke of terrible happenstance.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
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United have fallen massively and it’s been a terrible watch all season, bar a couple of highs.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While the prospect of facing Augusta National’s treacherous greens under major championship conditions would be overwhelmingly intimidating for most amateur golfers, McDermott is a unique case, to say the least.—
Erik Matuszewski,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
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Rory McIlroy commented on the missing trees on ten, apparently making the tee shot less intimidating — and that there is a little more room on the par-four third right side given the missing overhanging trees.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightening. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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