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

For 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.

Synonyms

• alarming
• dire
• direful
• dread
• dreadful
• fearful
• fearsome
• forbidding
• formidable
• frightful
• ghastly
• hair-raising
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrifying
• intimidating
• redoubtable
• scary
• shocking
• spine-chilling
• terrible
• terrifying

Examples of frightening in a Sentence

a truly frightening movie

Recent Examples on the Web

These frightening and repulsive actions represent the most significant breach on our Capitol in over two hundred years. —Sonam Sheth gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025

Mellencamp's frightening diagnosis, though, hasn't stopped her resolve. —David Oliver, USA Today, 8 May 2025

All these instances of surveillance and data sharing are equal parts frightening and frustrating. —Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2025

Pay attention to any frightening or violent images surrounding a child's environment on a daily basis, and monitor older children's internet activity. —Corinne Schuman, Parents, 6 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of frighten

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frightening

• brightening
• heightening
• lightening
• tightening
• whitening
• enlightening