Frightening

Frightening is an adjective that describes something capable of causing fear or alarm. It can refer to events, objects, imagery, or situations that provoke an anticipatory or immediate sense of danger. The term derives from fright, the noun for fear, and the verb frighten; both historically relate to causing fear.

From a psychological standpoint, frightening stimuli activate the amygdala and trigger autonomic arousal, leading to increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, and heightened vigilance. The intensity depends on an individual's prior experiences, context, and cultural framing. What is frightening for one person may be muted or welcome to another. Age, personality, and coping strategies influence thresholds for fear and alarm.

In culture and media, frightening content is common in horror genres and crime dramas, used to build suspense or convey danger. Content warnings and age ratings help audiences anticipate the level of frightening material. In clinical settings, exposure to moderately frightening stimuli can be used in therapy to reduce avoidance and desensitize responses, a process that must be guided by professionals. Ethical considerations include consent and the potential for retraumatization.