FRIGHTFULNESS Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

frightfulness

noun

Definition of frightfulness

as in horror

the quality of inspiring intense dread or dismay had heard stories about the frightfulness of the entrance exams

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frightfulness

Noun

The couple’s case files later became the basis for the Conjuring horror film series, one of the highest-grossing franchises in the genre.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Oct. 2026
In my opinion, the second half of Vertigo is more psychological horror than mystery.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of horror

Noun

Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The state and town have made efforts to atone for the atrocities over the past centuries.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of atrocity

Noun

An offense run by a coach of McVay's stature should not struggle in as many basic aspects as this one did Sunday — and much of that awfulness was due to McVay's erratic play-calling and Stafford's inconsistent decisions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026
In a world so full of dread and awfulness, why not take a moment to read anonymous petty literary gossip on the internet?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of awfulness

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

frightfully

frightfulness

frighting

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Frightfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frightfulness. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of frightfulness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes