terrifying
adjective
ter·ri·fy·ing
ˈter-ə-ˌfī-iŋ 
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
That creates a fissure among the survivors, an escalating conflict through which the behaviors of young men, both for better and worse (mostly worse), are boiled down to their terrifying essence.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Hours after the terrifying rampage, a similar fatal incident took place at Koodalminikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda when an elephant that had shown signs of restlessness during a ritual procession the night before broke out of its enclosure and attacked its handlers, per News Karnataka.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Having to find a new planet to live on because Earth has become uninhabitable could send even the hardiest of minds down a terrifying rabbit hole.
—Grace Dean, Space.com, 2 May 2026
While Krug was alive, authorities filed search warrants with communications companies that sought information about the increasingly terrifying messages the stalker was sending her, police records show.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrifying
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Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Hours after the terrifying rampage, a similar fatal incident took place at Koodalminikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda when an elephant that had shown signs of restlessness during a ritual procession the night before broke out of its enclosure and attacked its handlers, per News Karnataka.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Having to find a new planet to live on because Earth has become uninhabitable could send even the hardiest of minds down a terrifying rabbit hole.
—Grace Dean, Space.com, 2 May 2026
While Krug was alive, authorities filed search warrants with communications companies that sought information about the increasingly terrifying messages the stalker was sending her, police records show.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrifying
Cite this Entry
“Terrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrifying. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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