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.
May has been equally terrifying for Ukrainian civilians. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 May 2025 As the mysterious contract killer Vincent, Cruise brings his usual on-screen qualities — strict professionalism, precise physicality, ruthless persistence — but turns them on their head to embody a terrifying, amoral murderer. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025 Sometimes literally: The film’s centerpiece finds Ethan scaling the upper floors of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, a feat accomplished in true M:I style by actually dangling the world’s biggest movie star from a terrifying height. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 May 2025 During an interactive event that ran May 17-19, Netflix created a terrifying prom experience for visitors to the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrifying. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on terrifying

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