looks terrifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks terrifying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that appears frightening or alarming, often in a visual context. Example: "The haunted house looks terrifying, especially with all the creepy decorations and dim lighting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

At more than 1,000 pages, this book looks terrifying.

The Guardian - Books

It looks terrifying, as grim fighters wade ashore and loot a town in flames.

Independent

We are relieved not to have made it through because it looks terrifying.

The Guardian - Travel

Gibson looks terrifying, I say, pumped up and fully bearded, like he's just stepped out of a wild west wanted poster.

The Guardian - Film

It looks terrifying from the eyes of a child: uniforms, places you cannot go, restrictions that hold you in a place filled with suffering.

The Guardian - Opinion

They can't go backwards and forwards looks terrifying.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Rocky looks terrified.

The Guardian - Film

He looks terrified.

The Guardian

"You were fired?" He looks terrified.

The New Yorker

Another looks terrified as her big eyes flicker and roll.

The Guardian - Arts

She has cropped hair, a baggy uniform and looks terrified; so do her male peers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks terrifying" to vividly describe something's appearance, creating a strong emotional impact on the reader. This phrase works best when describing visual aspects that evoke fear or alarm.

Common error

While effective, overuse of "looks terrifying" can diminish its impact. Vary your descriptions with alternatives like "appears frightening" or "seems scary" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks terrifying" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by attributing a quality of being frightening or causing terror based on visual appearance. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples of the phrase in context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looks terrifying" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to convey a sense of fear or alarm based on visual appearance. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While effective for vivid descriptions, avoid overuse by considering alternatives like "appears frightening" or "seems scary". Use "looks terrifying" when you want to strongly emphasize the frightening aspect of something's appearance to evoke a clear emotional response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears frightening

Uses 'appears' instead of 'looks', and 'frightening' instead of 'terrifying'.

seems scary

Substitutes 'looks' with 'seems' and 'terrifying' with 'scary'.

presents a frightening image

Changes the structure to emphasize the image created.

gives a terrifying impression

Focuses on the impression conveyed rather than the direct appearance.

inspires fear

Shifts the focus to the feeling evoked.

has a dreadful appearance

Replaces 'terrifying' with 'dreadful' and uses 'appearance'.

is visually alarming

Highlights the visual aspect and uses 'alarming'.

projects a terrifying aura

Emphasizes the surrounding atmosphere or aura.

creates a sense of dread

Focuses on the feeling created.

is enough to scare anyone

Expresses the ability to frighten broadly.

FAQs

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

"Looks terrifying" is used to describe something that appears frightening or alarming. For example, "The haunted house "looks terrifying" with its broken windows and eerie lighting."

What are some alternatives to "looks terrifying"?

You can use alternatives such as "appears frightening", "seems scary", or "gives a terrifying impression" depending on the specific context.

Is "looks terrifying" formal or informal?

"Looks terrifying" is generally considered informal but is acceptable in many contexts, especially when describing visual impressions in news or casual writing. More formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional settings.

Can "looks terrifying" be used to describe people?

Yes, "looks terrifying" can describe a person's appearance. For example, "Gibson "looks terrifying", I say, pumped up and fully bearded, like he's just stepped out of a wild west wanted poster."