1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a frightful sound emanated from somewhere deep within the forest
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2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
I couldn't listen to the frightful details of the murder trial
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3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
flew into a frightful fit of rage
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as in horror
the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay
had heard stories about the frightfulness of the entrance exams
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frightful
Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
The weather outside is frightful, but her look is so delightful.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 19 Dec. 2024
The weather outside is frightful but the vibe with friends and family is so delightful, with seasonal cheer and excitement starting on December 21 and running to January 19.
—Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 19 Dec. 2024
The weather outside really isn’t so frightful, with some flakes that melt on your windshield in metro Detroit until the afternoon, then a light dusting, up to two inches Thursday night into Friday morning.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Adjective
When the weather outside is frightful, head to these delightful family resorts with fun indoor activities originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
—Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
The weather outside is frightful, but her look is so delightful.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 19 Dec. 2024
The weather outside is frightful but the vibe with friends and family is so delightful, with seasonal cheer and excitement starting on December 21 and running to January 19.
—Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 19 Dec. 2024
The weather outside really isn’t so frightful, with some flakes that melt on your windshield in metro Detroit until the afternoon, then a light dusting, up to two inches Thursday night into Friday morning.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightful
Adjective
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The harsh environment, mostly devoid of human presence, feels almost terrifying in its vastness—but that feeling quickly gives way to awe and excitement.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
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The terrifying incident unfolded Saturday morning, shortly after the Boeing 767 lifted off from its runway at Newark Liberty Airport.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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On September 2, 1885, in one of the most gruesome episodes of racial terror in American history, a group of white miners killed at least twenty-eight Chinese residents in Rock Springs and burned down the town’s Chinese quarter.—
Michael Luo,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
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This is the gruesome gulf between the parties in the Oval Office.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Last year, intense protests and riots against immigration erupted throughout England after 17-year-old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana stabbed and killed young girls at a dance class.—
Abigail Anthony,
National Review,
8 Mar. 2025
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This film transitions between moments of intense governmental and political drama, and moments of sympathetic, emotional anguish with the Hernandez family.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The video for the single captures the singer literally running away from the horrors hiding beneath the surface February 28, 2025 The new Lizzo era is here.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
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People need to continue to show up to town halls and political events to express their dismay and horror at the prospect of Trump and Musk demolishing social safety nets and health, safety, and economic regulation.—
Leah Litman,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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JPMorgan said the stock is at an attractive entry point with lower expectations and a formidable path for growth.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
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Van Dijk and Konate have been a formidable partnership since the latter’s arrival in 2021.—
Andy Jones,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Read Next California Toddler disfigured by burns in ‘horrific’ child endangerment case in CA.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2025
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Based on the memoir by Monique Smith, who endured a horrific childhood only to discover that her family wasn’t actually hers.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The tool is designed for people who do intensive knowledge work in areas like finance, science, policy, and engineering.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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Because disability claims are done on paper and labor intensive, technology is not enough to solve the problem.—
Jenna McLaughlin,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But former Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks has pitched just five innings since 2022 due to Tommy John surgery and, even more frightening, a battle with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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The key, psychologists say, is the emotional weight of those headlines’ content—especially for people who find what’s happening in the U.S. today to be genuinely frightening.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frightful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightful. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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