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.Synonyms
Examples of frightening in a Sentence
a truly frightening movie
Recent Examples on the Web
The glorious few who still worry about the decline of Palm Beach society speculated wildly that Trump was planning to legalize gambling and build a casino, or — the truly frightening possibility — subdivide his acreage and sell houses.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
In a cast full of mothers, the women are naturally sympathetic, triggered by the idea that something that frightening could happen to them too – only to be a little flummoxed at the full picture as more details started to come out.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Watching the video now serves as a thrilling reminder of Edwards’ frightening explosiveness and a painful illustration of what has been lacking for the Timberwolves this season.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
For residents watching the events unfold, the day felt both frightening and surreal.
—Jenna Russell, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for frightening 
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Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
In a cast full of mothers, the women are naturally sympathetic, triggered by the idea that something that frightening could happen to them too – only to be a little flummoxed at the full picture as more details started to come out.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Watching the video now serves as a thrilling reminder of Edwards’ frightening explosiveness and a painful illustration of what has been lacking for the Timberwolves this season.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
For residents watching the events unfold, the day felt both frightening and surreal.
—Jenna Russell, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for frightening
Dictionary Entries Near frightening
Cite this Entry
“Frightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frightening. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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