50
scary(adjective, feeling, cause, awful, terrible)
36
terrifying(verb, adjective, sharp, cross, awful)
30
dreadful(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, amazing)
25
frightful(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
25
ghastly(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, unreasonable)
23
appalling(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, unreasonable)
23
horrible(adjective, strong, severe, intense, awful)
23
shocking(verb, adjective, awful, terrible, horrible)
21
alarming(verb, adjective, offensive, awful, upsetting)
21
awful(adjective, strong, severe, intense, violent)
21
horrifying(verb, adjective, awful, wonderful, foul)
20
fearful(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
20
dire(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
20
horrendous(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, shocking)
20
terrible(adjective, strong, severe, intense, awful)
17
fearsome(adjective, awful, wonderful, grand, shocking)
16
dread(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
16
spooky
15
daunting(adjective, person, dark, awful, feelings)
15
intimidating(verb, adjective, mean, sharp, cross)
<1234510>
10 years ago|13k views|share |citing 
APASmart Define. (2016). frightening thesaurus. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/frightening/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "frightening thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/frightening/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 22, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, frightening thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/frightening/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "frightening thesaurus" 23 March 2016. Web. 22 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/frightening/thesaurus/synonyms>