frightening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frightening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes fear or anxiety. Example: "The movie was so frightening that I couldn't sleep afterward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's frightening.

The New York Times - Arts

Working with the BBC should be involving, stimulating, rewarding, not bewildering, frightening or bureaucratic.

The Guardian

Still, there's a difference between a celebrated transgender adult and a transgender child – it must have been frightening growing up.

The Guardian - Music

A University of Sheffield study of 250 children for a report on hospital design suggested children find clown motifs "frightening and unknowable".

The Guardian

She and others have said that Lubitz had frightening mood swings and aggressive outbursts.

The Guardian

"I want to praise the bravery of the bus driver who had to deal with this frightening situation," the Ulster Unionist member said.

The Guardian

It was also frightening, because these kids could now hurt you whenever they wanted.

The Guardian

I know some people think it is a waste of money – why would anyone want to be revived in 200 years' time in a world that might be frightening?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They jostled and shouted at women, made offensive, frightening and misleading statements, and were so intimidating that some patients had been deterred from attending the clinic at all, Hanks said.

The Guardian

One student said that in the previous week social media had been buzzing with rumours that something frightening would happen around that event.

The Guardian

They may arise as the result of honest misinterpretation of naturally occurring phenomena (for example, seeing faces and figures in the shadows or hearing noises made by animals in the night), or common but frightening anomalous experiences.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing subjective experiences, consider the intensity of the emotion. Use "frightening" for situations causing considerable fear, and milder alternatives for less intense unease.

Common error

Avoid using "frightening" to describe mildly unsettling situations. Opt for words like "unsettling" or "concerning" to maintain appropriate tone and impact.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "frightening" primarily functions to describe something that causes fear, anxiety, or alarm. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, as evidenced by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frightening" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that induces fear or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and very common, particularly within news and media contexts. While "frightening" is appropriate for many situations, consider alternatives like "scary", "terrifying", or "alarming" to fine-tune the specific nuance you intend to convey. Remember to avoid overuse in mild situations, and be mindful of the intensity of the emotion you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scary

A more informal and commonly used synonym for something that causes fear.

terrifying

Implies a higher degree of fear and dread than "frightening".

alarming

Suggests a sense of danger or urgency that causes concern.

horrifying

Indicates something extremely shocking and disturbing.

daunting

Emphasizes the intimidating and challenging aspect of something.

intimidating

Describes something that makes you feel apprehensive or threatened.

menacing

Suggests a threatening presence or atmosphere.

ominous

Implies that something bad or unpleasant is likely to happen.

disturbing

Indicates something that causes unease or anxiety.

apprehensive

Expresses a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad might happen.

FAQs

How can I use "frightening" in a sentence?

"Frightening" is typically used to describe something that causes fear or anxiety. For example, "The movie was quite "frightening"" or "The news report painted a "frightening" picture of the future."

What are some synonyms for "frightening"?

Alternatives to "frightening" include "scary", "terrifying", "alarming", and "intimidating". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "frightening to me"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to say something is "frightening to me". This construction indicates that something evokes fear specifically in you. For instance, "Spiders are "frightening" to me."

What is the difference between "frightening" and "frightful"?

"Frightening" describes something that causes fear. "Frightful" can mean causing fear, but also something that is shockingly bad or unpleasant. For example, "The experience was "frightening"", versus "The weather was "frightful"."