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Showing results for petrifying.

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

After proving that I would be a viable “Survivor” contestant, we went in search of the truly petrifying item on our list.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2023

Mrs Florek said spending 24 hours in Lviv had been "petrifying, not knowing if we would make it out" as air raid sirens blared.

From BBC • May 9, 2022

It was there, hanging in open air—stentorian and petrifying in its effects.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov