as in frightened
filled with fear or dread
terrified dogs hiding under the couch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scared
to strike with fear
the prospect of speaking in front of a huge crowd of people absolutely terrifies me
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrified
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
But her mother, too terrified to take out the garbage, let alone venture through the city to a hospital, canceled the procedure.
—Kate Wells, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
Some expats echo the confidence; others are terrified, sleeping in cars in garages, and scanning for the nearest exits.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Mrie’s angry and terrified family shunned her.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Rightly disappointed, Warren wasn’t entirely terrified.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
There is a 9-year-old girl sitting terrified and tearful and blaming herself for wanting to see Disney.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
My dad started a few companies, and my mom was always terrified about the lack of financial stability.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 11 Feb. 2026
In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.
—Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026
Pilgrim Mariana Muicaru said she was terrified during her time in Israel as rockets flew across the sky.
—Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
He’s terrified appropriately of the task at hand.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
The violent spree terrified and shocked Sacramento at the time.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
And with his clutch reputation, teams are terrified of him in big moments.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
But after that, the administration was terrified of losing Tang – Arkansas had been sniffing around – and in order to guarantee that the coach who had led a whopping 36 games in his lifetime wasn’t going anywhere, gave him a fresh new deal with a bunch more money.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
There are people here in this seven-on-seven who are s----ing themselves and terrified about what's to come.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
Quote of the week Labour seem to be mystified and terrified of the bond market in equal proportions.
—Ian King, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Everyone is terrified but grateful for this gift Ennis and Gary have given them.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
But her mother, too terrified to take out the garbage, let alone venture through the city to a hospital, canceled the procedure.
—Kate Wells, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026
Some expats echo the confidence; others are terrified, sleeping in cars in garages, and scanning for the nearest exits.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Mrie’s angry and terrified family shunned her.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Rightly disappointed, Warren wasn’t entirely terrified.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
There is a 9-year-old girl sitting terrified and tearful and blaming herself for wanting to see Disney.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
My dad started a few companies, and my mom was always terrified about the lack of financial stability.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 11 Feb. 2026
In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.
—Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Public testimony stretched for hours, where speakers shared concerns that the legislation could have legal repercussions, disrupt community relationships with local law enforcement and make immigrants terrified to interact with police, school or hospital staff.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026
Pilgrim Mariana Muicaru said she was terrified during her time in Israel as rockets flew across the sky.
—Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
He’s terrified appropriately of the task at hand.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
The violent spree terrified and shocked Sacramento at the time.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
And with his clutch reputation, teams are terrified of him in big moments.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
But after that, the administration was terrified of losing Tang – Arkansas had been sniffing around – and in order to guarantee that the coach who had led a whopping 36 games in his lifetime wasn’t going anywhere, gave him a fresh new deal with a bunch more money.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
There are people here in this seven-on-seven who are s----ing themselves and terrified about what's to come.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
Quote of the week Labour seem to be mystified and terrified of the bond market in equal proportions.
—Ian King, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrified
Adjective
-
The facile novelty of adultery is its own mask, a sexy way of dressing up a deep, frightened longing for security.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
He wasn’t arrested, but Toni Jo was frightened enough to relinquish custody of him and return to Saudi Arabia.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Greene leaves big and loud shoes to fill, but her larger-than-life presence in Washington hasn't scared away candidates hoping to replace her.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That term definitely scared off some other teams.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Elizabeth Hurley isn't afraid of a re-wear.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Don't be afraid of the rainy season.—
Tom Vanderbilt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors allege Joshua Alvarado, 30, passed out at the wheel of his pickup truck while driving to work and was startled awake by other drivers honking at him.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In the early hours of Sunday morning, as a bar in a busy nightlife district of Austin, Texas, prepared to close for the night, patrons and staff were startled by the sound of gunshots.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hamilton and Madison would have been aligned in horrified opposition had Washington, without congressional action, dispatched gunboats to sink British ships.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
-
And the posts do tend to trigger horrified reactions from other TikTok users.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, the deal still did catch some off guard, including the trial’s own judge Judge Arun Subramanian, who was shocked to learn that while an agreement was reached last week, the court wasn’t alerted until Monday.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Even Jordan looked shocked as the audience rose to its feet and Viola Davis, the award’s presenter, celebrated.—
Jake Coyle,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The law enforcement steps have alarmed election officials and Democrats who fear that the administration is building an argument for interfering in this year’s midterm elections.—
Isaac Arnsdorf,
Washington Post,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Donnie is alarmed to find her in a room that, according to the board, is unoccupied.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Residents in the capital told ABC News the streets were quiet on Monday, with many people having left or else sheltering indoors fearful of airstrikes.—
Patrick Reevell,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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The other aunt, who does not have children, is in hiding — fearful to approach her front door and risk being seen.—
Anna Heqimi,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrified. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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