as in frightening
causing fear
heard a terrifying noise coming from the next room
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scaring
to strike with fear
the prospect of speaking in front of a huge crowd of people absolutely terrifies me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrifying
Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
Maxwell had survived a week-long bout with COVID in March 2020 — during the terrifying early days of the pandemic, when overwhelmed doctors were struggling to handle the deadly virus — only to die six months later from bullet wounds to the back and chest.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2025
When Sebastian Stan was growing up in Romania under communist rule, the risk of speaking up, or challenging the government, was truly terrifying.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2025
Not all of us found powerful metaphors for social change in popular titles, and plenty of terrifying efforts flew under the radar in the genre’s generally high-grossing landscape.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for terrifying 
Adjective
Even before last week’s unprecedented firestorms, climate change was reshaping California in terrifying ways, with fire leveling entire communities in places like Santa Rosa and Paradise.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
Maxwell had survived a week-long bout with COVID in March 2020 — during the terrifying early days of the pandemic, when overwhelmed doctors were struggling to handle the deadly virus — only to die six months later from bullet wounds to the back and chest.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2025
When Sebastian Stan was growing up in Romania under communist rule, the risk of speaking up, or challenging the government, was truly terrifying.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2025
Not all of us found powerful metaphors for social change in popular titles, and plenty of terrifying efforts flew under the radar in the genre’s generally high-grossing landscape.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for terrifying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrifying
Adjective
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The glorious few who still worry about the decline of Palm Beach society speculated wildly that Trump was planning to legalize gambling and build a casino, or — the truly frightening possibility — subdivide his acreage and sell houses.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
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In a cast full of mothers, the women are naturally sympathetic, triggered by the idea that something that frightening could happen to them too – only to be a little flummoxed at the full picture as more details started to come out.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Which sounds kind of nerdy and scary simultaneously.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
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While the unknown is scary, there is magic in transforming and becoming a better version of ourselves.—
Lisa Stardust,
refinery29.com,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Someone, anyone, needs to step up and take the reins here, as the Flyers have looked formidable otherwise.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
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After navigating a few early hiccups—which included, of all things, snail slime—TikTok Shop proved formidable; the app’s surge in vendors outpaced competitors like Amazon, which TikTok ultimately wants to replace (or at least dethrone).—
Jason Parham,
WIRED,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Given this area’s rich history with horrible weather and big events at this time of year, there is still a chance that the Cotton Bowl will be postponed until Saturday.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2025
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How horrible for my sweet little nephews to watch their house disappear like this.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Two women were now the lead anchors on Today, creating a powerful symbolism just as terrible revelations were surfacing about several men in the industry.—
Eric Deggans,
NPR,
10 Jan. 2025
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The Los Angeles wildfires have been a terrible tragedy.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Learning new skills Technology advancements may feel intimidating but can be learned.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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Bob Veale, one of the most intimidating pitchers of the 1960s who is credited with inventing a popular baseball saying, passed away at age 89.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near terrifying
Cite this Entry
“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrifying. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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