as in to frighten
to strike with fear
the prospect of speaking in front of a huge crowd of people absolutely terrifies me
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Recent Examples of terrify
Outcome focuses on a Hollywood star terrified of being canceled.
—
Josh Spiegel, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Less than a week after the Rangers selected him in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Adam Sýkora stood 100 stories above downtown Manhattan, terrified.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The Hand & The Eye likely will open with little in the way of advance reservations, a situation that would terrify most producers of live entertainment.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Buildings destroyed by shelling damage bats’ shelters, and explosions terrify the tiny mammals, experts say.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrify
Josh Spiegel, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Less than a week after the Rangers selected him in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Adam Sýkora stood 100 stories above downtown Manhattan, terrified.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The Hand & The Eye likely will open with little in the way of advance reservations, a situation that would terrify most producers of live entertainment.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Buildings destroyed by shelling damage bats’ shelters, and explosions terrify the tiny mammals, experts say.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrify
Verb
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The Lord in your convent frightened me, Jesus with his bloody palms and gaping mouth, eyes rolled back in terror.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
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How To Keep Skunks Away From Your Yard There are no effective repellants or devices that frighten skunks away.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shopping malls across Southern California have also struggled to bring sales back as immigration raids continue to scare customers away.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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Don’t let the threat of more rain scare you away from checking out what’s going on around Kansas City.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Victor turned to her, startled.—
‘Pemi Aguda,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
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Peafowl can also disturb landscaping and startle people with their piercing screams.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrify. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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