HAIR-RAISING Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

hair-raising

adjective

ˈher-ˌrā-ziŋ

Definition of hair-raising

as in terrifying

causing fear hair-raising stories of headless corpses and disembodied screams

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in breathtaking

causing great emotional or mental stimulation a theme park that is legendary for its lightning-fast roller-coaster and other hair-raising rides

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hair-raising Then into motorboats for hair-raising dashes through tortuous canals and across rough water to dams far back in some vast marsh. — Nash Buckingham, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025 The term hair-raising takes on new meaning as two performers contort their bodies high above the stage, connected only by their coiffures. — Karen D'souza, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025 Led by vocalist Christina Michelle’s hair-raising screams, Deep Sage mangles everything in its path with thick basslines and switchblade guitars until the floor is bloodied but the air, at long last, is cleansed. — Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024 The reason this seems hair-raising is that most generative AI is devised to wait for the human to initiate a conversation. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hair-raising

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hair-raising

Adjective

In the supernatural horror film, a young man wishes for Nikki to love him more than anything, but the wish quickly takes a terrifying turn.

— Denis Akbari, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Naomi Scott gives one of the best performances of 2024 as a pop star who becomes attached to the smile demon, sending her down a terrifying roller coaster to one of the most memorable horror-movie endings in years.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

Engineered as a premier compact display for dedicated gaming setups and bedroom home theaters, the Sony A90K OLED delivers breathtaking visual fidelity.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Nattiv skilfully braids together the key events that lead to Rita’s breakdown, with a breathtaking sense of tension across the flashbacks.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of breathtaking

Adjective

The thoughts that accompany these conditions can be alarming and frightening, making many women reluctant to talk about them or seek help.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026
There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers.

— Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

This is an exciting step forward for Eisenberg the director, who had a breakthrough a couple of years ago with the lovely A Real Pain, which earned co-star Kieran Culkin an Academy Award.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
Mikel Arteta’s champions are built around a solid defence and strangling the opposition through possession, while Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea have had very little of the ball during his first few games, but have still built an exciting style.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of exciting

Adjective

Soldier Field and Wrigley Field will have formidable new competition.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Importantly, such research demonstrated the formidable risk associated with self-criticism for postpartum depression and anxiety, as well as for disruptions in mother-child communication, which might exacerbate postpartum psychopathology.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of formidable

Adjective

Anyone who’s watched Unrivaled knows this game is every bit as thrilling as any other sport out there.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Boyle succeeds in making a thrilling, propulsive movie using his signature kinetic filmmaking style of quick cuts, unconventional camera angles, and a frantic pace.

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of thrilling

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hair-raisers

hair-raising

hairs

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“Hair-raising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair-raising. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hair-raising

adjective

Example Sentences

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