1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a frightful sound emanated from somewhere deep within the forest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
I couldn't listen to the frightful details of the murder trial
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
flew into a frightful fit of rage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frightful
Sure, fall and winter comforts like Pumpkin Mac and Cheese and hearty Hamburger Pie automatically warm your bones when the weather outside is frightful.
—
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025
The weather was uncharacteristically frightful, causing suspension and ultimate cancellation of the popular Wednesday Pro-Am, and delays every round.
—Candace Oehler, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Indeed, there’s an even older history linking frightful feelings and winter celebrations that predates Christianity and the establishment of any Christian holiday.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 25 Dec. 2024
The weather outside is frightful, but her look is so delightful.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025
The weather was uncharacteristically frightful, causing suspension and ultimate cancellation of the popular Wednesday Pro-Am, and delays every round.
—Candace Oehler, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Indeed, there’s an even older history linking frightful feelings and winter celebrations that predates Christianity and the establishment of any Christian holiday.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 25 Dec. 2024
The weather outside is frightful, but her look is so delightful.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for frightful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightful
Adjective
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Back in August, Renner spoke about how his terrifying snowplow accident in January 2023 led to his daughter becoming a little more independent.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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The terrifying predicament happened Sunday, March 23, in a wooded area off Interstate 10 in LaPlace, the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a March 26 news release.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Thoughtful, but gruesome is an apt descriptor for the film as well.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
5 Apr. 2025
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This was true of Fury (2015) as well, his brutal and gruesome war drama featuring Brad Pitt as a tank commander in the final days of World War II leading a platoon of hardened, traumatized, broken soldiers.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The missions became more intense as Japan's outlook grew more dire and the military showcased the sacrifice of the pilots to drum up patriotism and support for the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Weaving together intense journeys with jaw-dropping medical rescues 20,000 feet in the air in the most remote conditions, the new season throws the diverse group of medical responders into all-new challenges on the job and in their personal lives.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Her and Taylor Jones are as formidable of a frontcourt duo as any in the nation.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
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Connecticut’s offense is formidable, but its defense is suspect.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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With that horrific risk in mind, the crew hatches a new plan.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2025
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Viscerally horrific, conceptually mindblowing, achingly humane.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Class-size mandates effectively compete with other investments, like hiring more mental health professionals or investing in intensive teacher training for the existing workforce.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2025
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That could include chemical-intensive lab work like testing sea lions, killer whales and walruses from Alaska for environmental contaminants, Tolimieri said.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In the episode, O'Dowd and Jones play Mike and Amanda, respectively, a couple living a happy and simple life until Amanda suffers a frightening medical emergency and passes out.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Memphis Grizzlies rookie guard Jaylen Wells broke his right wrist after a frightening fall in Tuesday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The domestic box office is presently in a terrible state, and Minecraft could prove to be the shot of confidence Hollywood studios and cinema owners need after recent films, including Disney’s Snow White, have turned into major disappointments.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Apr. 2025
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The rhetoric pushed here is that someone with a high body count has less value and will either make a terrible partner or no one will want them in the first place.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frightful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightful. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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