Definition

In a way that causes fear or alarm.

Example

The movie was frighteningly realistic, making everyone jump at the scary scenes.

Conversation

Did you hear about that new horror movie everyone is talking about?

Yeah, I heard it’s frighteningly good!

I’m not sure I can handle something that intense.

If it’s frighteningly scary, I might skip it myself!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Frighteningly → It is formed from "frighten" (from Old English "fyrhtan", meaning to cause fear) and "-ingly" (a suffix used to form adverbs indicating manner). The word "frighteningly" means in a manner that causes fear or alarm.

Memory Tip

Think of causing 'fear' ('frighten') and doing it in a certain way ('-ingly'). This helps you remember that 'frighteningly' describes how something can cause fear.

Visually Confused Words