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petrifying

ADJECTIVE

appalling

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alarming astounding awful dire disheartening dreadful frightening frightful ghastly harrowing hideous horrible horrific shocking terrible terrifying

STRONG

bad daunting dismaying gross heavy intimidating mean scaring unnerving

WEAK

fearful formidable grim grody horrid the end

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calming comforting delightful good nice pleasant pleasing wonderful

STRONG

polite

WEAK

encouraging reassuring satisfying

ADJECTIVE

frightful/frightening

Synonyms

WEAK

alarming appalling atrocious awesome awful chilling daunting dire direful dismaying disquieting dread dreadful fearful fearsome formidable ghastly grabber grim grisly gruesome hair-raising hairy harrowing hideous horrendous horrible horrid horrifying inconceivable intimidating lurid macabre menacing morbid ominous portentous repellent spooky terrible terrifying traumatic unnerving unspeakable

Antonyms

WEAK

calming comforting pleasing

ADJECTIVE

nightmarish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

awful chilling disquieting dreadful eerie ghastly grim grisly hair-raising hellish horrible horrid horrifying macabre scary spooky terrible terrifying traumatic

WEAK

alarming creepy dire direful fearful fearsome ghoulish morbid ominous unnerving

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calming good nice normal pleasant pleasing soothing wonderful

ADJECTIVE

terrible

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abhorrent appalling atrocious awesome awful dangerous dire disastrous disturbing dreadful frightful ghastly gruesome harrowing hideous horrendous horrid horrifying serious severe shocking unfortunate unpleasant

WEAK

awe-inspiring beastly desperate dread dreaded fearful hateful inconvenient loathsome monstrous obnoxious odious offensive poor repulsive revolting rotten unnerving unwelcome vile

Antonyms

STRONGEST

beautiful calming comforting delightful fortunate good happy inoffensive lucky mild nice pleasant pleasing trivial unimportant wonderful

WEAK

great

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“This was the most petrifying part, not being able to be there to shield your kids and know if they were safe,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

The self-infantilizing is disconcerting to watch, and no doubt petrifying to experience firsthand, but Gaga dodges the fan and gets into her waiting vehicle.

From Salon • Aug. 26, 2025

"I'm really scared for the future. The thought of my seven-year-old having a phone is absolutely petrifying."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2025

Emily, who has multiple friends whose family members died of COVID-19 shortly after being intubated, said the moment was petrifying.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 11, 2022

“Mr. Lemoncello. Make him go away. His library is a petrifying place full of cheaters!”

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

petrifying

Example Sentences

Related Words