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.
Cumberbatch, in a few moments, expresses the depth of this father’s agony, the terrifying chasm of it. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025 Six episodes centre on a variety of different dinosaurs, from terrifying carnivores to docile herbivores. John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025 Her investigation into what happened sets in motion a terrifying chain of events. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025 The longer immigrants stay in the U.S. — working jobs, having children, building networks of friends and family — the more terrifying the threat of deportation gets. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near terrifying

Cite this Entry

“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrifying. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on terrifying

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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