terrified 1 of 2

terrified

2 of 2

verb

past tense of terrify

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of terrified
Adjective
The child runs back inside the bodega seeking safety before collapsing near the front counter as terrified customers scramble for cover. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 Appropriately terrified, Russ jumps backward, shattering the window. Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 The driver of the number 302 bus, who has not been identified, found the terrified animal towards the end of the route from Mill Hill Broadway to Kensal Rise in north-west London, on Friday morning. Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 21 July 2026 Most people arrive terrified and as Dune famously advised, let their fear move over them and through them. Literary Hub, 21 July 2026 Part of his charm here included playing the stalwart father figure to two terrified kids — someone a child could trust to stick around and keep watch all night when the dinosaurs came chomping. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026 On the 14th floor, three of them broke into Ojeda’s apartment, handcuffed him in front of his terrified wife and son, and dragged him out, according to court documents and security video. Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 10 July 2026 Outrage continues to grow after a drone was reported stalking a terrified wild mustang on North Carolina’s northern Outer Banks. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026 Campbell found the minister on the ground, terrified and in pain. Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
Verb
While some car companies have lobbied the government, terrified, asking to build protective walls to fend off cheap Chinese competition, others have looked at the problem from a different angle, trying to meet the moment. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026 Sebastian Krautz went viral on NBC10 Boston this week after admitting he was initially terrified to travel to the United States because of news about crime and safety. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026 The old him would have been terrified of going onstage, a public humiliation waiting to happen. Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 Should Hentges have chosen unemployment instead of a contract because the Giants play in San Francisco and their organization is terrified of people like Slusser? Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 The trailer teases Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the titular creature, who undergoes an intense transformation that leaves the townspeople terrified. Tanya Fedak, Variety, 29 June 2026 Supporters — many of them wearing Colombia’s yellow and red colors — rushed the gates at the home stadium of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, leaving fans terrified and bloodied as security struggled to contain the rush. Nbc News, NBC news, 28 June 2026 Suddenly the seller is tiptoeing, managing the buyer's mood, terrified of saying the wrong thing and scaring them off. Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 Supporters — many of them wearing Colombia’s yellow and red colors — rushed the gates at the home stadium of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, leaving fans terrified and bloodied as security struggled to contain the rush. ABC News, 26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrified
Adjective
  • Witnesses are often too frightened of the cartels to testify in court.
    Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • When Odysseus’ men arrive at Circe’s home, hungry, asking to be fed, Circe seems frightened — understandably so.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • But coyotes—anxious, clumsy, and scared to try new things—lagged far behind their mesopredator cousins.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
  • Running into the real Santosh again amid that backdrop, Juyal asked him if the danger scared him.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • The kind who drive across town for the right crust and aren't afraid to wait for it.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • Don’t be afraid to volunteer for a responsibility that scares you a little.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Witness Hoon Chan Sim, 53, was sitting on a park lawn with his dog near West Drive when he was startled by the squeal of braking tires, and spun around to see the horrific collision.
    Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • Wildlife experts say black bears are strong climbers and may scale trees, utility poles or other tall structures when startled by people, traffic or dogs.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • In one early scene, a horrified Pam stares into her bathroom mirror, covered head to toe in blood.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
  • The first police officer on the scene quickly ran back to the station for help, while neighbors calmed the horrified Lizzie.
    Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • The first season ended with a big cliffhanger, in which Cooper emerged from a cocoon after a transformation to a shocked reaction though his appearance was not revealed.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 July 2026
  • In Atlanta last week, Mohamed Salah and his Egypt team-mates walked out of the stadium in shocked silence.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Adjective
  • Toczylowski said termination of a program that serves one of the most vulnerable immigrant populations should be viewed as an attack on children and Americans should be alarmed.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • Multiple layers of protection — starting with four-sided isolation fencing, alarmed doors and windows leading to pool areas, and removing toys after swim time — can help prevent these tragedies.
    Karen Cohn, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026
Adjective
  • Aid networks ramped up their work to help immigrants too fearful to leave their homes.
    Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 27 July 2026
  • A couple days ago, Foerster wasn’t fired up but rather fearful of Shanahan’s fate.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 26 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Terrified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrified. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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