frightening
Causing sudden dread
Frightening describes something that causes fear or alarm.
A frightening movie makes you jump; a frightening diagnosis fills you with dread.
The word covers a wide range of intensity—from mildly unsettling to genuinely terrifying.
The speed of the car was frightening.
It's frightening how quickly things can change.
Causing extreme fear
- scaryCausing fright
- alarmingProvoking fear or anxiety
- dauntingDiscouraging through difficulty
- intimidatingInspiring fear or unease
threatening · disturbing · chilling · unsettling · creepy · spooky · menacing · harrowing
Emotional response to threat
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
apprehension · trepidation · unease · horror · alarm · angst · distress · nervousness
Exposure to harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- menaceSource of potential harm
- hazardSource of potential harm
- riskPossibility of harm
jeopardy · intimidation · warning · hostility · aggression · predator · villain · malevolence
Cause extreme fright
- horrifyCause intense revulsion
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- startleFrighten suddenly
- scareCause sudden fright
intimidate · terrorize · menace · daunt · unnerve · dismay · spook · petrify
Disturbingly strange
- uncannyEerily beyond normal
- ghostlyResembling a specter
- hauntedOccupied by ghosts
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
otherworldly · supernatural · mysterious · shadowy · misty · gloaming · twilight · cryptic
Causing intense physical excitement
- grippingHolding attention completely
- rivetingCompletely holding one's attention
- harrowingExtremely distressing or disturbing
- gut-wrenchingCausing intense emotional anguish
nerve-wracking · adrenaline · breathless · overwhelming · visceral · paralyzing · bone-chilling · bloodcurdling
Frightening imaginary creature
- ghostApparition of the dead
- vampireBlood-drinking undead creature
- zombieReanimated dead body
- demonMalevolent supernatural being
poltergeist · specter · phantom · apparition · witchcraft · curse · necromancy · occult
horrifying
Causing extreme fear
intimidating · threatening · disturbing · chilling · unsettling · creepy · spooky · menacing · harrowing · petrifying
fear
Emotional response to threat
anxiety · apprehension · trepidation · unease · horror · alarm · angst · distress · nervousness · dismay
danger
Exposure to harm
risk · jeopardy · intimidation · warning · hostility · aggression · predator · villain · malevolence · ominousness
terrify
Cause extreme fright
scare · intimidate · terrorize · menace · daunt · unnerve · dismay · spook · petrify · shock
eerie
Disturbingly strange
spectral · otherworldly · supernatural · mysterious · shadowy · misty · gloaming · twilight · cryptic · eldritch
heart-pounding
Causing intense physical excitement
- grippingHolding attention completely
- rivetingCompletely holding one's attention
- harrowingExtremely distressing or disturbing
gut-wrenching · nerve-wracking · adrenaline · breathless · overwhelming · visceral · paralyzing · bone-chilling · bloodcurdling · nightmarish
monster
Frightening imaginary creature
demon · poltergeist · specter · phantom · apparition · witchcraft · curse · necromancy · occult · exorcism
- Halloweenjack-o-lantern, trick or treating, haunted mansion, pumpkin, trick-or-treat
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- menacingthreatening, intimidating, menacing, ominous, sinister
- scary feelingsterrified, dreadful, creepiness, goosebumps, bone-chilling
- Danger Levelsdanger, high risk, high-risk, low risk, critical
frighteningreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
comforting · calming · soothing · relaxing · tranquilizing