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Definition of frightening

frightening

/ˈfɹaɪt.ən.ɪŋ/
fright · en · ing
Adverb:frighteningly
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frightening Lexical Profile

frightening Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Making someone afraid or anxious; causing fear, alarm, or dread.

Example

"Navigating the narrow mountain pass during the blizzard was a frightening experience for all the passengers."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for frightening
Antonyms
View all antonyms for frightening

Word Nuance & Usage

Use 'frightening' to describe the thing or situation that causes fear (e.g., 'a frightening storm'), and 'frightened' to describe the person or animal experiencing the fear (e.g., 'a frightened child').

• Rhymes for frightening

• Nearby Words

fright
frighten
frightened
frightening
frighteningly
frightful
frightfully

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed as the present participial adjective of 'frighten', which derives from Old English 'fyrhto' or 'fryhto' (fear, terror, trembling), combined with the verbal suffix '-en'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Frightening. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/frightening
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