terrifying
TEH-rih-feye-ihng
Terrifying (adj) means causing intense fear. Example: “The terrifying noise from the cellar made everyone in the house freeze.”
adj
1
Causing intense fear.
"The terrifying noise from the cellar made everyone in the house freeze."
"It was a terrifying experience being caught in the storm at sea."
"The roller coaster looked terrifying from the ground."
How to use terrifying
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely frightening.
Common pairings
a terrifying experience
terrifying thought
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more terrifying
- Superlative
- most terrifying
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The _____ noise from the cellar made everyone in the house freeze.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for terrifying
See all rhymes for terrifying →Frequently asked questions
What does “terrifying” mean?
The word “terrifying” means causing intense fear. In plain terms, extremely frightening.
How do you pronounce “terrifying”?
“Terrifying” is pronounced TEH-rih-feye-ihng (/ˈtɛɹɪfaɪ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “terrifying” in a sentence?
Here is “terrifying” used in a sentence: “It was a terrifying experience being caught in the storm at sea.”
What part of speech is “terrifying”?
“Terrifying” is an adjective.
Is “terrifying” a common word?
“Terrifying” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "terrifying" and "terrified"?
"Terrifying" describes something that causes intense fear, which is the cause, while "terrified" describes the person who feels that fear, which is the effect. A terrifying storm leaves people terrified.
What is the difference between "terrifying" and "scary"?
Both describe something that frightens, but "terrifying" is much stronger, meaning it causes intense, overwhelming fear, while "scary" can describe anything from mildly to moderately frightening. A dark hallway might be scary; a life-threatening emergency is terrifying.
What is the difference between "terrifying" and "horrifying"?
"Terrifying" stresses intense fear and the feeling of being threatened, while "horrifying" stresses shock, disgust, or moral outrage. A charging animal is terrifying, whereas the aftermath of a disaster can be horrifying.
