erschreckend

alarmingly, frighteningly

adverb ehr-SHREH-kend Rare

Also means

startlingly

Usage Note

erschreckend used adverbially conveys that a degree is not just large but disturbing: erschreckend wenig (alarmingly little). It draws attention to a socially or morally concerning level.

Examples

"Die Zahl der Schulabbrecher ist erschreckend hoch."

Natural Translation

The number of school dropouts is alarmingly high.

Literal Translation

The number of school-leavers is frighteningly high.

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