terrify
verb (used with object)
to fill with terror or alarm; make greatly afraid.
had terrified
-
past perfectof terrify.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A 31-year-old housewife and mother-of-one who lives nearby said the incident had terrified the neighbourhood.
From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026
It said the original 1980s campaign had saved lives but had terrified a generation.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2023
There was no sign of the occupiers who had terrified many here for the better part of a year.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 12, 2022
As Adam Horowitz, a lawyer for seven of the victims, told the New York Times on Wednesday, the young women were indeed scared to testify—because the prosecutors themselves had terrified them.
From Slate ● Jul. 11, 2019
Going to the Academy alone when she was eleven, leaving her family behind, had terrified her.
From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo
