terrify

verb

ter·​ri·​fy ˈter-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce terrify (audio)
ˈte-rə-
terrified; terrifying

transitive verb

1
a
: to drive or impel by menacing : scare
2
: to fill with terror

Examples of terrify in a Sentence

The thought of dying alone terrifies her. the prospect of speaking in front of a huge crowd of people absolutely terrifies me
Recent Examples on the Web Two physicists—one high and thus mesmerized, the other terrified—watch the phenomenon from a Gothic courtyard in Oxford, England. Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Only one person was hit in the shootings that traversed Ingham, Livingston, Oakland and Shiawassee counties, but the shootings had motorists terrified to travel. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024 Ella was terrified of germs, so tutors and barbers often came to them. Kc Cole, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Altman became a globe-trotting AI evangelist, using his pulpit to both inspire and terrify with his predictions about what the technology augurs for elections, art, education, economies and society. Annie Massa, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024 Their efforts to make the world safe again for measles and polio should terrify you. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The young men cowered in the waiting room and on the upper floors, terrified that their attackers might find them. Alma Guillermoprieto, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 In multiple instances, students came to school the day after their interview, terrified after their parent exploded at them for telling school officials about the abuse. Scooty Nickerson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024 Thousands have fled to neighboring countries and the rest of the population has been terrified into silence. Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'terrify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin terrificare, from terrificus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrify was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near terrify

Cite this Entry

“Terrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrify. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

terrify

verb
ter·​ri·​fy ˈter-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce terrify (audio)
terrified; terrifying
: to fill with terror
terrifyingly
-ˌfī-iŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on terrify

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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