frightful

provoking horror

• “an atrocious automobile accident”
• “a frightful crime of decapitation”
• “an alarming, even horrifying, picture”
• “war is beyond all words horrible” Winston Churchill
• “an ugly wound”

extreme in degree

• “in a frightful hurry”
• “spent a frightful amount of money”

extremely distressing

• “fearful slum conditions”
• “a frightful mistake”
• “suffered terrible thirst”