frightensome

F4R1I1G2H4T1E1N1S1O1M3E1

adjective

Characterized by frightening; inducing fear; scary

Similar
affreuxalarmingspine-tinglingappallingawfuleldritchbuggishbutt-clenching
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Meanings

adjectivefrightensome (comparative more frightensome, superlative most frightensome)

comparative more frightensome · superlative most frightensome

  1. Characterized by frightening; inducing fear; scary

    He must think I led him on, taking that ride with him and all, and talking to him so free. I'm sorry enough, for I did like him, he's so good to mother, and he prays so beautifully. He is a Christian, if he is so frightensome sometimes.

    1865, Jane Elizabeth Hornblower; Nellie (of Truro, fict.name.), Nellie of Truro, page 220

    Synonyms: affreux, alarming, spine-tingling, appalling, awful, eldritch, buggish, butt-clenching

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveCharacterized by frightening; inducing fear; scary

Similar
affreuxalarmingspine-tinglingappallingawfuleldritchbuggishbutt-clenchingbuttock-clenchingdismayfuldreadfulfearfulflaysomeflesh-crawlingformidablefreakyfrighteningfrightfulghastly
Also see
buggishbuttock-clenchingdismayfulflaysomefreakyfrighteningghostlygruesomehorridhorrifichorrifyingterrificterrifying

Origin

From frighten + -some.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

frightensome. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/frightensome

MLA

“frightensome.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/frightensome. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “frightensome,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/frightensome.

Source: frightensome on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.