terrify

verb ter·ri·fy \ ˈter-ə-ˌfī , ˈte-rə- \

Definition of terrify

terrified; terrifying

transitive verb

1 a :to drive or impel by menacing :scare

b :deter, intimidate

2 :to fill with terror

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See terrify defined for kids

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 of terrify from the Web

The bird had flown in through an open window, apparently terrified of the low pressure and high winds of the storm according to the New York Post.

— saryn chorney, PEOPLE.com, "Hurricane Harvey's Amazing Animal Survival Stories: Rescues, Reunions and Furry Refugees," 28 Aug. 2017
This company that Versace had was about to go public, and he was terrified of anything negative coming out about his personal life.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story: Everything We Know So Far," 15 Aug. 2017
For those of you still terrified of making pie crusts, the blueberry croustade is an easier way to go.

— ellise pierce, star-telegram, "These French-inspired desserts are deliciously simple," 14 Aug. 2017
That’s my encouragement to 20-year-olds who are terrified of getting older: Don’t have a nervous breakdown, and don’t hit the chardonnay too hard.

— mackenzie wagoner, Vogue, "7 Times Charlize Theron Has Been Outspoken About Beauty," 7 Aug. 2017
Obamacare will never be safe with Republicans in power, and the possibility of a repeal-only bill is terrifying.

— clio chang, New Republic, "How Obamacare killed Trumpcare.," 18 July 2017
Once, during an AFI screening of Night of the Living Dead, he was asked what terrified him.

— mike barnes, Billboard, "George A. Romero, Father of the Zombie Film, Dies at 77," 17 July 2017
John Robert Lindsey made a properly evil Monostatos (a dead ringer for the vampire Nosferatu), accompanied by terrifying dogs rather than slaves.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "'The Magic Flute' a surreal visual extravaganza," 16 July 2017
The idea of being separated from her kids terrifies Brown.

— maureen c. gilmer, Indianapolis Star, "I received a call for help: She had 3 little kids and nowhere to go," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'terrify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of terrify

Latin terrificare, from terrificus

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First Known Use: 15th century

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terrify Synonyms

Synonyms

affright, alarm (also alarum), fright, horrify, panic, scare, scarify, shock, spook, startle, frighten, terrorize

Antonyms

reassure

Related Words

appall (also appal), bowl over, dismay, floor, jolt, shake, shake up; amaze, astound, awe; chill, daunt, demoralize, dispirit, emasculate, psych (out), undo, unman, unnerve, unstring; discomfort, discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distract, distress, disturb, perturb, unsettle, upset, worry

Near Antonyms

assure, cheer, comfort, console, solace, soothe; embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire, steel

TERRIFY Defined for English Language Learners

terrify

verb

Definition of terrify for English Language Learners

: to cause (someone) to be extremely afraid : to frighten (someone) very much

TERRIFY Defined for Kids

terrify

verb ter·ri·fy \ ˈter-ə-ˌfī \

Definition of terrify for Students

terrified; terrifying

:to cause (someone) to become very frightened

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Origin and Etymology of terrify

terrify Synonyms

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TERRIFY Defined for English Language Learners

terrify

Definition of terrify for English Language Learners

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