as in to frighten
to strike with fear
the prospect of speaking in front of a huge crowd of people absolutely terrifies me
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Recent Examples of terrify
While early allergen introduction is not without complexities, the measurable reduction in peanut allergies—once the most common pediatric food allergy and one that terrifies allergy parents—signals a milestone in preventive care.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Usually when a pet is terrified of kennel life, a shelter moves quickly to find a loving foster to provide comfort, which is what happened with this little one.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
That said, the scene terrified Ingelsby.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2025
However, other homebuyers are terrified that the government shutdown may derail their homeownership dreams altogether.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrify
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Usually when a pet is terrified of kennel life, a shelter moves quickly to find a loving foster to provide comfort, which is what happened with this little one.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
That said, the scene terrified Ingelsby.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2025
However, other homebuyers are terrified that the government shutdown may derail their homeownership dreams altogether.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrify
Verb
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When the Maitlands' attempts to frighten the Deetzes away fail miserably, Barbara and Adam turn to the mysterious and mischievous Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to rid them of the living.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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Around 100 pairs were found abandoned on the roof, perhaps due to the thieves being frightened away, Sheriff John Budensiek said at the news conference.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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Actors dressed as sadistic guards and disturbed prisoners, jump-scaring visitors from the prison cells.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrify. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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