a terrifying voice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrifying voice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a voice that evokes fear or dread, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As the shadows deepened, a terrifying voice echoed through the darkened hall, sending chills down their spines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In some versions of the story, Musa had left the house a little earlier than usual, awakened by a prophetic dream or a terrifying voice that had pronounced his name.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He lost no time in formalities, but announced, in a deep, terrifying voice.

The New Yorker

A report from Yugoslavia recounts the moment, in 1994, when a Serbian friend starts making jokes about Vollmann's first name: "Billy Clinton, he sneered.... Billy Clinton, you will write bad things about us, he said in a jovially terrifying voice...

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps they work their way up until one day they become that terrifying voice at the end of the line, ordering girls to pick-up points.

Vice

Perhaps they work their way up until one day they become that terrifying voice at the end of the line, ordering girls to pickup points.

Vice

For the past few weeks, I've stood in front of subway posters that declare "It Is Happening Again," trying in vain to imagine what that means to someone who doesn't hear it in Carel Struycken's gently terrifying voice.

Vice

There are already terrified voices, eg Farhad Manjoo's, crying for "installing surveillance cameras everywhere" on the eyebrow-raising grounds that "we're already being watched just not systematically".

TechCrunch

There is a sobbing voice and suddenly a terrifying child's face.

The Guardian - Books

Gladwin began experimenting with amplifying and distorting the actors' voices and from this a "terrifying neo-Nazi character" was created.

The Guardian

IT is a terrifying read.

The Guardian - Books

Denaturalization is a terrifying concept.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a terrifying voice" to vividly depict characters or situations that evoke fear or suspense in your writing. It helps create a stronger emotional connection with the reader.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "a terrifying voice" in short succession; vary your descriptions with synonyms such as "a chilling voice" or "a frightening voice" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrifying voice" functions primarily as a descriptive element, modifying a noun (voice) with an adjective (terrifying). Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in descriptive contexts, as seen in examples where it helps to depict fear and suspense.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a terrifying voice" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing a voice that evokes fear or dread. While Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable, its frequency is uncommon, appearing primarily in news and media contexts. To prevent monotony, consider using alternatives such as "a chilling voice" or "a frightening voice". The key is to employ it judiciously to create a powerful and vivid impact on your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a chilling voice

Replaces 'terrifying' with 'chilling', emphasizing the fear-inducing coldness of the voice.

a frightening voice

Substitutes 'terrifying' with 'frightening', a direct synonym conveying a sense of fear.

a horrifying voice

Replaces 'terrifying' with 'horrifying' showing the voice's nature causing horror.

a scary voice

Replaces 'terrifying' with 'scary', a more informal synonym emphasizing the fear-inducing quality.

an alarming voice

Substitutes 'terrifying' with 'alarming', highlighting the voice's capacity to cause concern or apprehension.

a bloodcurdling voice

Uses 'bloodcurdling' to describe the voice, emphasizing its extreme capacity to instill fear.

a spine-chilling voice

Uses 'spine-chilling' instead of 'terrifying', emphasizing the voice's ability to evoke fear and excitement.

a menacing voice

Replaces 'terrifying' with 'menacing', focusing on the threatening nature of the voice.

a dreadful voice

Substitutes 'terrifying' with 'dreadful', conveying a sense of intense fear or aversion.

an intimidating voice

Replaces 'terrifying' with 'intimidating', highlighting the voice's power to daunt or discourage.

FAQs

How can I use "a terrifying voice" in a sentence?

You can use "a terrifying voice" to describe the sound of someone or something that evokes fear. For example, "As the shadows deepened, a terrifying voice echoed through the hall."

What are some alternatives to "a terrifying voice"?

You can use alternatives like "a chilling voice", "a frightening voice", or "a menacing voice" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What kind of imagery does "a terrifying voice" evoke?

The phrase "a terrifying voice" typically evokes imagery of horror, suspense, and intense fear. It suggests a sound that is deeply unsettling and capable of causing significant distress.

Is it appropriate to use "a terrifying voice" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. In highly formal or academic contexts, a more nuanced term like "an alarming voice" or "an intimidating voice" might be more suitable, depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.