genuinely terrifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "genuinely terrifying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is truly frightening or causes real fear, often in a dramatic or emphatic way. Example: "The horror movie was genuinely terrifying, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Genuinely terrifying.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is genuinely terrifying.

The Guardian - Books

Reece Shearsmith's Silent Singer, a newcomer to Psychoville, is genuinely terrifying.

Independent

The prospect of Clarkson running for public office is genuinely terrifying.

Independent

As my guide, Elmir, paddled us deeper into the darkness, it was genuinely terrifying.

The Guardian - Travel

For the poor, without resources, the disappearance of authority was genuinely terrifying.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

He looks genuinely terrified.

The Guardian - Music

Ms. Sitbon looked genuinely terrified.

The New York Times

Going home that day, I was genuinely terrified".

The Guardian - Business

The idea of not being able to control my own fertility genuinely terrifies me.

The New Yorker

She genuinely terrified me as a little girl – I think she still does now.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "genuinely terrifying" to emphasize a strong feeling of fear that is authentic and not exaggerated. It adds credibility to the description of a frightening experience.

Common error

Avoid using "genuinely terrifying" to describe mildly scary situations, as it can weaken the impact when used inappropriately. Reserve it for truly frightening or disturbing events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "genuinely terrifying" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It is used to intensify the adjective "terrifying", emphasizing that the fear or dread evoked is real and authentic. Ludwig shows the phrase used across diverse contexts to amplify feelings of fear.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Books

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

TV & Radio

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "genuinely terrifying" is a grammatically sound and relatively common adjective phrase used to describe something that evokes authentic and intense fear. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions to emphasize the realness of the terror experienced. Predominantly found in News & Media and Books, with neutral register, its frequent alternatives include "truly frightening" and "utterly horrifying". When employing this phrase, reserve it for situations that warrant genuine fear to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely frightening

Similar in meaning, but uses "frightening" instead of "terrifying".

truly frightening

Focuses on the act of causing fear rather than the authenticity of the terror.

utterly horrifying

Emphasizes the complete and total nature of the horror.

incredibly petrifying

Uses the verb form "petrifying" to underscore the intense fear.

legitimately scary

Uses a more informal term, "scary", but maintains the genuine aspect.

veritably spine-chilling

Emphasizes the physical sensation of fear, like chills down the spine.

absolutely dreadful

Conveys a sense of immense unpleasantness and fear.

exceptionally disturbing

Focuses on the unsettling and mentally perturbing nature of the experience.

profoundly unnerving

Stresses the psychological discomfort and anxiety caused.

sincerely alarming

Highlights the worrying and concerning aspect of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "genuinely terrifying" to describe experiences, movies, or situations that evoke a strong sense of fear. For example, "The horror movie was "genuinely terrifying".".

What's the difference between "genuinely terrifying" and "truly frightening"?

Both "genuinely terrifying" and "truly frightening" express a high degree of fear, but "genuinely terrifying" emphasizes the authenticity of the fear, while "truly frightening" simply highlights the degree to which something causes fear.

What can I say instead of "genuinely terrifying"?

Alternatives include "utterly horrifying", "absolutely dreadful", or "sincerely alarming", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "genuinely terrifying" too strong for everyday conversation?

While "genuinely terrifying" is a strong phrase, it can be used in everyday conversation when describing something that caused you significant fear or anxiety. However, be mindful of the context and avoid using it for trivial situations to maintain its impact.