terrify
verb
ter·ri·fy
ˈter-ə-ˌfī 
ˈte-rə-
terrified; terrifying
1
a
: to drive or impel by menacing : scare
b
: deter, intimidate
2
: to fill with terror
Examples of terrify in a Sentence
The thought of dying alone terrifies her.
the prospect of speaking in front of a huge crowd of people absolutely terrifies me
Recent Examples on the Web
But across the political divide, the bombings are terrifying for many Iranians, with civilian casualities on the rise.
—
Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Public testimony stretched for hours, where speakers shared concerns that the legislation could have legal repercussions, disrupt community relationships with local law enforcement and make immigrants terrified to interact with police, school or hospital staff.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026
Pilgrim Mariana Muicaru said she was terrified during her time in Israel as rockets flew across the sky.
—Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
One 27-year-old Tehran resident said a strike fell a few hundred yards away from her house, terrifying her with the explosion.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrify
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Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Public testimony stretched for hours, where speakers shared concerns that the legislation could have legal repercussions, disrupt community relationships with local law enforcement and make immigrants terrified to interact with police, school or hospital staff.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026
Pilgrim Mariana Muicaru said she was terrified during her time in Israel as rockets flew across the sky.
—Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
One 27-year-old Tehran resident said a strike fell a few hundred yards away from her house, terrifying her with the explosion.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrify
Cite this Entry
“Terrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrify. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
terrify
verb
ter·ri·fy
ˈter-ə-ˌfī
terrified; terrifying
: to fill with terror
terrifyingly
adverb
-ˌfī-iŋ-lē
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