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

In the dark winter months, Krampus associations in villages hold parades, playfully frightening onlookers on Krampusnacht by chasing them and hitting them with sticks during a run through the streets. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024

Or maybe the next gen of AI swerves us even deeper into the uncanny valley in yet unknown and frightening ways. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

Despite the nostalgia factor of Robert Zemeckis‘ Here, reuniting him with Forrest Gump stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in a multi-generational tale, its use of AI bodes for a frightening future to some. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024

The Giants’ return to starting Tommy DeVito because Daboll couldn’t protect Drew Lock is setting New York up for a frightening four quarters on Sunday. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of frighten

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above