frightful
adjective
fright·ful ˈfrīt-fəl 
1
: causing intense fear or alarm : terrifying
2
: startling especially in being bad or objectionable
a frightful novel
3
: extreme
frightful thirst
frightfully
ˈfrīt-fə-lē
adverb frightfulness noun
Synonyms
- alarming
- dire
- direful
- dread
- dreadful
- fearful
- fearsome
- forbidding
- formidable
- frightening
- ghastly
- hair-raising
- horrendous
- horrible
- horrifying
- intimidating
- redoubtable
- scary
- shocking
- spine-chilling
- terrible
- terrifying
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
As he fell, he let out a frightful scream. a frightful illness that causes extreme pain The children made a frightful mess of the kitchen. Many critics have expressed shock at the song's frightful lyrics.
Recent Examples on the Web But Ukraine’s determination to defend itself has come at a frightful cost that numbers can only begin to describe. 
New York Times, 2 Aug. 2022 Its frightful effect on her developed into anxiety and panic attacks that lasted through young adulthood. David Allan, CNN, 6 July 2022 Jonah, who never lost consciousness as the building imploded around him, remembers every frightful second, says his father, Neil Handler. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2022 Luckily, many of these Halloween appetizers can be prepped ahead of time, leaving you plenty of time to whip up some frightful Halloween cocktails to kick off the party! Jamie Ballard, Good Housekeeping, 1 June 2022 Very frightful, depressed, anxious, especially the past couple of days, now that the media is gone and things have quieted down on Jefferson. Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 28 May 2022 But the frightened boy grew up — and up, and up — to become the terror of the NHL, the 6-foot-4, 236-pound captain of the frightful Philadelphia Flyers, who will face Judy Vellucci’s beloved Red Wings for the Stanley Cup. Gene Myers, Detroit Free Press, 27 May 2022 This 10-episode sci-fi series follows a group of kids who join forces to help save humanity from frightful drones. cleveland, 7 May 2022 The results are impressive and frightful and frequently numbing, because the creative workarounds that let the show generate simmering tension without needing to show everything are no longer in evidence. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 May 2022 See More
New York Times, 2 Aug. 2022 Its frightful effect on her developed into anxiety and panic attacks that lasted through young adulthood. David Allan, CNN, 6 July 2022 Jonah, who never lost consciousness as the building imploded around him, remembers every frightful second, says his father, Neil Handler. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2022 Luckily, many of these Halloween appetizers can be prepped ahead of time, leaving you plenty of time to whip up some frightful Halloween cocktails to kick off the party! Jamie Ballard, Good Housekeeping, 1 June 2022 Very frightful, depressed, anxious, especially the past couple of days, now that the media is gone and things have quieted down on Jefferson. Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 28 May 2022 But the frightened boy grew up — and up, and up — to become the terror of the NHL, the 6-foot-4, 236-pound captain of the frightful Philadelphia Flyers, who will face Judy Vellucci’s beloved Red Wings for the Stanley Cup. Gene Myers, Detroit Free Press, 27 May 2022 This 10-episode sci-fi series follows a group of kids who join forces to help save humanity from frightful drones. cleveland, 7 May 2022 The results are impressive and frightful and frequently numbing, because the creative workarounds that let the show generate simmering tension without needing to show everything are no longer in evidence. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
fright entry 1 + -ful entry 1
First Known Use
1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
frightful
adjective
fright·ful ˈfrīt-fəl
1
: causing fear or alarm
a frightful scream
2
: shocking sense 1, outrageous
a frightful mess
frightful
adjective
1
as in terrifying
causing fear a frightful sound emanated from somewhere deep within the forest Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- terrifying
- frightening
- formidable
- scary
- horrible
- terrible
- intimidating
- dread
- alarming
- dreadful
- horrifying
- fearful
- ghastly
- shocking
- eerie
- direful
- fearsome
- creepy
- horrendous
- startling
- gruesome
- dire
- forbidding
- spine-chilling
- eery
- trying
- redoubtable
- troubling
- hair-raising
- disturbing
- unnerving
- threatening
- daunting
- hideous
- discouraging
- disconcerting
- disquieting
- perturbing
- weird
- dismaying
- nightmarish
- demoralizing
- distressing
- grisly
- macabre
- horrid
- appalling
- awful
- bone-chilling
- monstrous
- atrocious
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- comforting
- calming
- soothing
- reassuring
- relaxing
- inviting
- quieting
- consoling
- tranquilizing
- tranquillizing
- lulling
- nonthreatening
- nonintimidating
- pacifying
2
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent I couldn't listen to the frightful details of the murder trial Synonyms & Similar Words
- horrific
- gruesome
- horrible
- terrible
- frightening
- dreadful
- shocking
- nightmare
- terrifying
- horrifying
- terrific
- hideous
- awful
- ghastly
- scary
- nightmarish
- grisly
- horrid
- appalling
- macabre
- horrendous
- monstrous
- atrocious
- sickening
- lurid
- disgusting
- fearful
- alarming
- direful
- dire
- formidable
- fearsome
- grotesque
- ugly
- loathsome
- abominable
- grewsome
- unspeakable
- intimidating
- disagreeable
- obscene
- revolting
- odious
- heinous
- repulsive
- bloodcurdling
- evil
- forbidding
- repugnant
- deplorable
- abhorrent
- vile
- hair-raising
- obnoxious
- offensive
- gut-wrenching
- noisome
- noxious
- nauseating
- distasteful
- redoubtable
- heart-stopping
- unsightly
- foul
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- delightful
- pleasant
- delicious
- attractive
- agreeable
- welcome
- pleasurable
- delectable
- enjoyable
- satisfying
- pleasing
- appealing
- enticing
- inviting
- comforting
- soothing
- cheering
3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect flew into a frightful fit of rage Synonyms & Similar Words
- intense
- intensive
- terrible
- ferocious
- fierce
- deep
- furious
- dreadful
- violent
- ghastly
- vicious
- heavy
- profound
- fearful
- fearsome
- acute
- explosive
- exquisite
- excruciating
- blistering
- almighty
- vehement
- hellacious
- heightened
- hard
- intensified
- keen
- harsh
- aggravated
- severe
- heavy-duty
- deepened
- magnified
- enhanced
- accentuated
- concentrated
- stressed
- emphasized
- exhaustive
- thorough
- rigorous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- light
- feeble
- moderate
- soft
- weak
- superficial
- shallow
- eased
- subdued
- qualified
- decreased
- moderated
- diminished
- toned (down)
- reduced
- lessened
- lightened
- abated
- alleviated