Frighteningly: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when something causes fear in a general or broad sense.

• The storm grew frighteningly large as it approached the coast.
• Insects swarmed around the campfire, and the night became frighteningly dark.

Implies a very strong or intense level of fear, often used in extreme situations.

• The roller coaster ride was terrifyingly fast.
• She looked down from the cliff edge and saw how terrifyingly deep the drop was.

Best used when something causes concern or worry, often about potential danger or risk.

• He was driving at an alarmingly high speed through the residential area.
• The number of COVID-19 cases has been rising alarmingly.

More informal, often used to describe something spooky or causing a slight shiver of fear.

• The old house looked scarily abandoned.
• He scarily resembled the character from the horror movie.