What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
frightening
Example
The horror movie was so frightening that I had nightmares. [frightening: adjective]
Example
The sound of thunder was frightening for the little girl. [frightening: gerund or present participle]
petrifying
Example
The haunted house was petrifying, and I couldn't move from fear. [petrifying: adjective]
Example
The idea of public speaking is petrifying to many people. [petrifying: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Frightening is more commonly used in everyday language than petrifying, which is more dramatic and less frequently used.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between frightening and petrifying?
Both frightening and petrifying are generally informal words, but petrifying is more dramatic and less versatile, making it less appropriate for formal contexts.
