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
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Terrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrify. Accessed 14 Apr. 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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