What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Frightful vs Terrifying - What's the difference?

frightful | terrifying | Related terms |

Frightful is a related term of terrifying.


As adjectives the difference between frightful and terrifying

is that frightful is (obsolete): full of fright; affrighted; frightened while terrifying is frightening or intimidating.

As a verb terrifying is

.

frightful

English

(Webster 1913)

Alternative forms

* frightfull (archaic)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (obsolete): Full of fright; affrighted; frightened.
  • *
  • Full of that which causes fright; exciting alarm; impressing terror; shocking; as, a frightful chasm, or tempest; a frightful appearance.
  • (Used as an intensifier)
    • We wasted a frightful amount of money on renovations.

    Synonyms

    * terrible * dreadful * alarming * fearful * terrific * awful * horrid * horrible * shocking

    terrifying

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Frightening or intimidating.
  • Of a formidable nature; terrific

    • Derived terms

    * terrifyingly

    Related terms

    * terrify * terror

    Verb

    (head)