PETRIFYING Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

petrifying

verb

Definition of petrifying

present participle of petrify

as in undermining

to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality groupthink and peer pressure have so petrified the thinking of the company's top brass that they haven't produced an innovative product in years

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for petrifying

Verb

The act grants the NCAA absolute control over athlete eligibility through this antitrust shield, undermining federal and state law, specifically Title IX and who can compete in the women’s category.

— Katie Uhlaender OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
At least a dozen attacks on Ebola treatment centers and health workers in Congo’s Ituri province are undermining containment efforts, raising fresh alarm over safety at the outbreak’s epicenter.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of undermining

Verb

Schmidt's attorney, Kyle Ludwig, on Tuesday claimed that Foster-Todd did not attempt to make distance between himself and the dog and said Foster-Todd shot the dog without exhausting other options.

— Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 22 July 2026
But there were hero moments here too, the same refusal to lose, the same team-work, the same selfless effort in exhausting physical conditions.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of exhausting

Verb

That includes the wound draining fluid, having a foul odor or getting bigger.

— Sarah Tomlinson, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
How To Care For Onions In Pots Onions prefer well-draining, loamy, and slightly acidic to neutral soil, such as potting soil with compost mixed in.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 July 2026

Definition of draining

Verb

Or would that strategy end up weakening the forces tasked with holding the line against Russia?

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Sleep deprivation makes leaders less perceptive and human, weakening their presence and effectiveness with people, whereas quality sleep is essential for fostering authentic, influential leadership.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of weakening

Verb

In a clearing in the forest, his younger selves sit at a long table with the abbott, who is wearing the final boss of season three’s awful wigs.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Javier Bardem, wearing a Spain replica shirt with Borja Iglesias’ name and No 26 on the back, was shown celebrating in the stands.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of wearing

Verb

Sam Lambert laid down a safety squeeze, deadening the ball in front of the plate and scoring Balls to trim the lead to 3-1.

— Dave Montrose, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably.

— John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026

Definition of deadening

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petrify

petrifying

pets

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“Petrifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petrifying. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of petrifying

verb

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