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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrified
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2024
My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
McDonald plays her as a tragic heroine terrified of abandonment.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Although conditions in Malibu may not be among the worst firefighters have seen, the Franklin fire has torched several vehicles and left residents who had to flee terrified.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
As the fighting ramped up in September, with daily missile barrages on the entire north, people were terrified of driving, fearing they’d be caught on the roads without shelter.
—Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Dec. 2024
Several subway riders testified they were terrified Neely was going to attack and they were relieved when Penny put him in a chokehold and kept him there.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
My Unsung Hero She was terrified waiting for surgery.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024
To put that into context, people are terrified of aging or miserable in their bodies.
—Essence, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2024
My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
McDonald plays her as a tragic heroine terrified of abandonment.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Although conditions in Malibu may not be among the worst firefighters have seen, the Franklin fire has torched several vehicles and left residents who had to flee terrified.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
As the fighting ramped up in September, with daily missile barrages on the entire north, people were terrified of driving, fearing they’d be caught on the roads without shelter.
—Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Dec. 2024
Several subway riders testified they were terrified Neely was going to attack and they were relieved when Penny put him in a chokehold and kept him there.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
My Unsung Hero She was terrified waiting for surgery.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024
To put that into context, people are terrified of aging or miserable in their bodies.
—Essence, 5 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrified
Adjective
-
But Wall Street doesn't seem as frightened of tariffs anymore.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
29 July 2025
-
As of Monday afternoon, Dickson still wasn’t sure whether someone punched through the window, or if her frightened dog, who heard numerous rounds of shots fired throughout the afternoon, tried to break free.—
Sofi Zeman
July 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
Make sure to water regularly, especially in warmer months, and don’t be afraid to switch out plants seasonally to keep your containers fresh.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Aug. 2025
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Don’t be afraid to give your rooms multiple purposes Take advantage of the various nooks and crannies in your home.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
When a United Airlines flight issued a mayday call shortly after departure, passengers onboard were doubtlessly scared.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
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Ball also claimed in the new interview that Anne, now 74, was not scared of him.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Tony Caba is accused of killing 45-year-old Roberto Cuevas in front of shocked partygoers near Fourth Ave.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
11 Aug. 2025
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For the most part, the teens are shocked, often horrified, hearing their mothers use the term when talking directly to their fathers.—
Sari Hitchins,
Parents,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Now less alarmed and more reflective, Alaina sees the letters as relics of the house's strange past.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
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But before the deal was finalized, council members grew alarmed that the company did not seem to have the necessary equipment or subcontracts in place as Super Bowl LIX and the annual Mardi Gras celebrations loomed.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Overwhelmed and fearful of her future, Milena disappears.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
4 Aug. 2025
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Guerrero kept his concerns about Mejia quiet for a time, fearful he could be fired from his job or even prosecuted.—
Bianca Moreno-Paz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrified. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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