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
Wild-eyed in a register that ranges from dreamy to terrified to stunned into submission, her performance is the most honestly felt thing here.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 May 2026
Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon is breathtaking and also terrifying with a 4-year-old along.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Facing the endless Cylon onslaught in the void of space is terrifying even in 2D battles, but many of Scattered Hopes' gut punches happen during unexpected narrative events or tough choices that doom entire ship populations.
—Ian Stokes, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Modern franchise filmmaking too often feels terrified of critique, with a level of visual polish that leaves otherwise compelling narratives oddly devoid of life.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrify
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Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 May 2026
Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon is breathtaking and also terrifying with a 4-year-old along.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Facing the endless Cylon onslaught in the void of space is terrifying even in 2D battles, but many of Scattered Hopes' gut punches happen during unexpected narrative events or tough choices that doom entire ship populations.
—Ian Stokes, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Modern franchise filmmaking too often feels terrified of critique, with a level of visual polish that leaves otherwise compelling narratives oddly devoid of life.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 May 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 19 May. 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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