TERRIFY Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

terrify

verb

ˈter-ə-ˌfī

Definition of terrify

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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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 terrify 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 While the Fourth of July can be a ton of fun, loud fireworks and firecrackers can terrify pets — and concern their owners. — Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 1 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 See All Example Sentences for terrify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrify

Verb

Fireworks can frighten animals and send them scattering, but Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets apparently are made of sterner stuff.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
In those moments, what frightened her most was not her own safety but the knowledge that her husband was up there somewhere, flying in the same sky swarming with fighter planes dropping their bombs on Tehran.

— Mahsa Alimardani, Time, 6 July 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

The company will need to regain customers' trust, just as other restaurants like McDonald's, Wendy's and Chipotle have had to in the past after health scares.

— Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Significantly, High Plains offered alternatives to more expensive, two-drink-minimum club shows that might scare off casual comedy fans and newcomers to stand-up.

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 July 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

Pochettino’s sources of American sports culture inspiration There were some aspects of American culture, and specifically American sports culture, that clearly startled Pochettino.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House.

— Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Definition of startle

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terrifies

terrify

terrifying

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“Terrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrify. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of terrify

verb

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