terrify

verb

ter·​ri·​fy ˈter-ə-ˌfī 

ˈte-rə-

terrified; terrifying

transitive verb

1

a

: to drive or impel by menacing : scare

b

: deter, intimidate

2

: to fill with terror

Synonyms of terrify

• frighten
• scare
• startle

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

William James almost eerily comfortable in situations that terrify everyone around him. — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Lily James and Jack Reynor‘s forthcoming horror-suspense film is aiming to terrify moviegoers just after the traditional spooky season. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Black Palace is set in 1888 London as an emerging tabloid media terrifies the public with lurid stories of infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026

So the whole point is for anyone with a fear of heights to sit in a theater for 90 minutes and be terrified? — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin terrificare, from terrificus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for terrify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

terrify

verb

ter·​ri·​fy ˈter-ə-ˌfī 

terrified; terrifying

: to fill with terror

terrifyingly

-ˌfī-iŋ-lē

adverb