How to Use frightful in a Sentence

frightful

adjective
  • The children made a frightful mess of the kitchen.
  • As he fell, he let out a frightful scream.
  • Many critics have expressed shock at the song's frightful lyrics.
  • The monster pops out of the coffin, which gives kids a fun, frightful start.
    Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 17 May 2022
  • When the weather is too frightful to commute to the gym, having the right gear at home can help a lot.
    Ian Salisbury, wsj.com, 14 Nov. 2023
  • Fear is Art in Wallingford for the 26th year of frightful outdoor fun.
    courant.com, 16 Oct. 2020
  • This book is not for those looking for something on the fun side of frightful.
    Emily Burack, Town & Country, 25 Jan. 2023
  • He's planned a seance to talk with his dead wife, leading to a frightful night dealing with sins of the past and ghosts of war.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2023
  • Then came a frightful noise in Thursday’s predawn dark.
    Sig Christenson, ExpressNews.com, 27 Aug. 2020
  • George Charlesworth saw a frightful monster in San Diego Bay.
    Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Oct. 2020
  • The Dodgers and their frightful collection of lumber, for the record, will do that to plenty of arms.
    Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
  • The weather outside is frightful, with clumps of snow falling at the rate of about an inch per hour.
    Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2024
  • The frightful stay is listed for a Halloween-themed price of just $31 a night, plus taxes and fees.
    Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 30 Sep. 2020
  • Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the smells in the kitchen are so delightful!
    Julia Ludlam, Country Living, 1 Dec. 2022
  • Have a big, flashy show trial and charge them with something frightful.
    Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2012
  • Who doesn’t love a good frightful fable every now and then?
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2021
  • Brazil took Mexico on the pitch, and after a frightful battle, Brazil took the win 2-0.
    Kat Bein, Billboard, 2 July 2018
  • The result was anything but frightful; rather, the tale became a nuanced look at the process of boys coming of age.
    Alexandra Gekas, Woman's Day, 2 Aug. 2010
  • If the weather outside is frightful, move the party to your living room.
    Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, 29 Nov. 2022
  • The weather may be oh so frightful, but your feet will feel delightful with any of the socks below.
    Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2022
  • Some of the biggest food brands have spooky steals and frightful freebies before and on Halloween.
    Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 15 Oct. 2023
  • The forces of the Fourth Crusade got into the city, with frightful results, but only because a door was left open.
    Rich Lowry, National Review, 3 June 2023
  • The unique and gorgeous cat had been pretty frightful due to her ordeal, which led her to not trust people.
    Arizona Republic, azcentral, 21 June 2019
  • But for those like him who fought there - and a few are still alive - remembering Iwo can be frightful.
    Michael E. Ruane, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Feb. 2020
  • The experience is put on by Kraken rum so, at the very least, the cocktails won't be frightful.
    Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2021
  • As the weather outside grows frightful, the fire doesn’t have to be inside to be delightful.
    Lindsay Tigar, CNN Underscored, 2 Nov. 2020
  • Inside the 10 mazes scattered throughout the park, frightful guests are on their own: The medallion will not be honored there.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2023
  • When the weather outside is chilly and frightful, a bath bomb can be delightful.
    Kris Coronado, Washington Post, 26 Nov. 2019
  • When did parents first become frightful of what is in their kids' Halloween candy?
    Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
  • Here's why dogs and cats may not mix well with frightful Halloween yard decorations.
    Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frightful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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