adjective
frightening
Causing fear.
The strange noises in the empty house are genuinely frightening.
Etymology
The participial ending describes what produces the action of frighten. A frightening thing is consequently a cause of fear.
More examples
- The car skidded for a few frightening seconds.
- Some scenes in this movie are too frightening for children.
- The thought of losing her home is frightening.
Forms
Similar words
- scary
- More informal; common in everyday conversation, especially with children.
- terrifying
- Stronger; describes something that causes extreme fear or panic.
- alarming
- Emphasizes worry about danger rather than intense fear.