terrifying

adjective

ter·​ri·​fy·​ing ˈter-ə-ˌfī-iŋ 

ˈte-rə-

1

: causing terror or apprehension

2

: of a formidable nature

terrifyingly adverb

Synonyms

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

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

To cut yourself off from people is to lose your connection and way in a glorious, terrifying world. —Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 2 May 2025

Audio and video deepfakes created with generative AI tools add a new, terrifying wrinkle to scam spotting. —Kim Key, PC Magazine, 1 May 2025

Directed by Ben Mole, the film follows an infamous former spy catcher who must work with his estranged daughter to avert a homeland security bloodbath and survive a terrifying home invasion. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025

In 1994 Helicopter Accident The mom of three also opened up about the helicopter crash that almost killed her and five others in Telluride, Colorado, reflecting on the terrifying incident and her perspective on life since that day. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for terrifying

• amplifying
• beautifying
• certifying
• clarifying
• classifying
• codifying
• crucifying
• edifying
• falsifying
• fortifying
• glorifying
• gratifying