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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrifying
Gerald Joyce, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
The prospect of turning three points into one, from a position of such dominance, was terrifying for Leeds supporters.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Every significant volatility spike—the global financial crisis, the dotcom bust, the COVID-19 crash—felt terrifying at the time.
—John Jennings, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Back in August, Renner spoke about how his terrifying snowplow accident in January 2023 led to his daughter becoming a little more independent.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrifying
Adjective
These haunting images, so foreign to younger generations today, were once a terrifying reality.
—Gerald Joyce, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
The prospect of turning three points into one, from a position of such dominance, was terrifying for Leeds supporters.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Every significant volatility spike—the global financial crisis, the dotcom bust, the COVID-19 crash—felt terrifying at the time.
—John Jennings, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Back in August, Renner spoke about how his terrifying snowplow accident in January 2023 led to his daughter becoming a little more independent.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrifying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrifying
Adjective
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After the frightening threat, the man suddenly ran off in an unknown direction.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2025
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Serena Joy Waterford is among the most frightening, dead-hearted women ever written for the small screen.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 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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There will be elections in Hungary next year, and Orbán, for the first time in decades, is facing a formidable challenger.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
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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
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
“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrifying. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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