terrifying

adjective

ter·​ri·​fy·​ing ˈter-ə-ˌfī-iŋ How to pronounce terrifying (audio)
ˈte-rə-
1
: causing terror or apprehension
2
: of a formidable nature
terrifyingly adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His first book, Dark Days vividly and unflinchingly chronicled his terrifying experience being jailed on charges of manslaughter (he was acquitted on all counts). Bill Kopp, SPIN, 20 Feb. 2025 For those who have watched DOGE storm into their workplace, what is perhaps most terrifying is its attempts to scale. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025 So the thought of that very premise being compromised was terrifying to me. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2025 Social embarrassment, after all, is far more terrifying — and likely — than a zombie attack. Wash Westmoreland, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terrifying

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrifying was circa 1586

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Cite this Entry

“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrifying. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on terrifying

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