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
Venis seems unable to connect with his son; Jeff is wracked with a guilty conscience; Randall is terrified of his looming mortality; and Souper just wants to be loved.
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
The omerta has left many people working in diversity feeling isolated, worried about their employment prospects — and terrified of discussing it in public.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 27 May 2025
He was covered in an oily substance, terrified, and wouldn’t eat.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 24 May 2025
Akasha was terrified that his charmed life was over.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrify
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
The omerta has left many people working in diversity feeling isolated, worried about their employment prospects — and terrified of discussing it in public.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 27 May 2025
He was covered in an oily substance, terrified, and wouldn’t eat.
—Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 24 May 2025
Akasha was terrified that his charmed life was over.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrify
Verb
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On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The device startles seals hanging around salmon run obstacles and drives them away from the buffet.—
Cheryl Katz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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The trailer opens with Kate (Moore) startled by the sudden appearance of her troubled daughter Claire (Sweeney) on her doorstep covered in rain and blood.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrify. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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