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

As an actress, a character like that was thrilling and terrifying.

— William Earl, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Alas, Hersh was to miss the flight because he was still being held hostage, starving, tortured, and surviving on that date in terrifying confinement.

— Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu is one of Southern California’s most breathtaking drives — but also one of its deadliest.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Sonos Era 500 Immerse yourself in breathtaking sound from every direction with the Sonos Era 300 Smart Speaker.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of breathtaking

Adjective

Doyle has played all kinds of frightening characters in his five years at Markoff's.

— Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
The trailer for the movie, which includes a particularly frightening jump scare from Chastain as Other Mommy, went viral online after playing in front of theatrical screenings.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

More hotels are expected from exciting names in hospitality like Edition, W, and Rocco Forte—just in time too, as Milan will co-host the winter Olympics in 2026, a duty shared with the ski town of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
There is always more to do; often more exciting, more rewarding, more fruitful work, thanks to technology.

— Ali Kashani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of exciting

Adjective

Community supporter and legal advocate Over decades in South Florida, Klock earned a reputation as a formidable advocate, a mentor to younger lawyers and a steadfast supporter of the community.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
The original recipe was two parts apple brandy to one part each of the liqueurs, giving this cocktail a quotient of sweetness that even its formidable alcohol content can’t quite tame.

— Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of formidable

Adjective

Watching the models spiral down the staircase of what was once home to Barney's New York made each look feel even more thrilling.

— Vogue, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
Seemingly moments after staring the Dodgers down with a thrilling Game 2 victory, the Braves essentially have been consigned to their rearview mirror.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of thrilling

Adjective

The Rangers announced the devastating news on Saturday following a scary injury in which the 30-year-old’s right skate jammed into the post while gliding across his crease in the first period.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Watching her film in the water was one of the scariest moments as a mom, because the tank was pitch black.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of scary

Adjective

Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
This would provide some interesting tactical options for the Navy, especially for conflicts with rivals, like China.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of interesting

Browse Nearby Words

hair-raisers

hair-raising

hairs

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hair-raising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair-raising. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hair-raising

adjective

Example Sentences

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