Definition

causing terror, excitement, or astonishment //hair-raising stories

Other Words

hair-raisingly ˈher-ˌrā-ziŋ-lē adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

alarming dire direful dread dreadful fearful fearsome forbidding formidable frightening frightful ghastly horrendous horrible horrifying intimidating redoubtable scary shocking spine-chilling terrible terrifying

Examples

//hair-raising stories of headless corpses and disembodied screams
//a theme park that is legendary for its lightning-fast roller-coaster and other hair-raising rides

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

hair-raising

adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms

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

alarming dire direful dread dreadful fearful fearsome forbidding formidable frightening frightful ghastly horrendous horrible horrifying intimidating redoubtable scary shocking spine-chilling terrible terrifying
Related Words

daunting demoralizing disconcerting discouraging dismaying disquieting distressing disturbing perturbing startling threatening troubling trying unnerving
bone-chilling creepy eerie (also eery) weird
appalling atrocious awful grisly gruesome (also grewsome) hideous horrid macabre monstrous nightmarish
Near Antonyms

calming comforting consoling inviting lulling pacifying quieting reassuring relaxing soothing tranquilizing (also tranquillizing)
nonintimidating nonthreatening
causing great emotional or mental stimulation //a theme park that is legendary for its lightning-fast roller-coaster and other hair-raising rides
Synonyms

breathtaking charged electric electrifying exciting exhilarating exhilarative galvanic galvanizing heart-stopping inspiring intoxicating kicky mind-bending mind-blowing mind-boggling rip-roaring rousing stimulating stirring thrilling
Related Words

arresting interesting intriguing provocative tantalizing titillating
absorbing engrossing gripping riveting
moving poignant touching
enchanting enthralling fascinating spellbinding
dynamic energetic high-voltage kinetic lively lusty
Near Antonyms

boring mind-numbing tedious tiresome
dreary dull humdrum monotonous uninteresting
Antonyms

unexciting

hair-raising

adjective

hair-rais·ing

ˈher-ˌrā-ziŋ

Definition

causing terror, excitement, or astonishment //hair-raising stories

Other Words

hair-raisingly ˈher-ˌrā-ziŋ-lē adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

alarming dire direful dread dreadful fearful fearsome forbidding formidable frightening frightful ghastly horrendous horrible horrifying intimidating redoubtable scary shocking spine-chilling terrible terrifying

Examples

//hair-raising stories of headless corpses and disembodied screams
//a theme park that is legendary for its lightning-fast roller-coaster and other hair-raising rides

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

hair-raising

adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms

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

alarming dire direful dread dreadful fearful fearsome forbidding formidable frightening frightful ghastly horrendous horrible horrifying intimidating redoubtable scary shocking spine-chilling terrible terrifying
Related Words

daunting demoralizing disconcerting discouraging dismaying disquieting distressing disturbing perturbing startling threatening troubling trying unnerving
bone-chilling creepy eerie (also eery) weird
appalling atrocious awful grisly gruesome (also grewsome) hideous horrid macabre monstrous nightmarish
Near Antonyms

calming comforting consoling inviting lulling pacifying quieting reassuring relaxing soothing tranquilizing (also tranquillizing)
nonintimidating nonthreatening
causing great emotional or mental stimulation //a theme park that is legendary for its lightning-fast roller-coaster and other hair-raising rides
Synonyms

breathtaking charged electric electrifying exciting exhilarating exhilarative galvanic galvanizing heart-stopping inspiring intoxicating kicky mind-bending mind-blowing mind-boggling rip-roaring rousing stimulating stirring thrilling
Related Words

arresting interesting intriguing provocative tantalizing titillating
absorbing engrossing gripping riveting
moving poignant touching
enchanting enthralling fascinating spellbinding
dynamic energetic high-voltage kinetic lively lusty
Near Antonyms

boring mind-numbing tedious tiresome
dreary dull humdrum monotonous uninteresting
Antonyms

unexciting