terrify

[ ter-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, ter·ri·fied, ter·ri·fy·ing.

1. to fill with terror or alarm; make greatly afraid.

terrify

/ ˈtɛrɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. tr to inspire fear or dread in; frighten greatly

Derived Forms

• ˈterriˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• terri·fier noun
• terri·fying·ly adverb
• un·terri·fied adjective
• un·terri·fying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrify¹

1565–75; < Latin terrificāre, equivalent to terr ( ēre ) to frighten + -ificāre -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrify¹

C16: from Latin terrificāre, from terrēre to alarm + facere to cause

Synonym Study

See frighten.

Example Sentences

Then there’s the fact that most Americans are also terrified of death and the dying process and horrible at talking openly with others about the realities of aging.

From Vox

The very fact that my brain considers them as an option terrifies me and is indicative of how much this is affecting me.

From Washington Blade

As a road user, I find them to be menaces that flout traffic rules, drive on sidewalks, terrify pedestrians, and are quick to mobilize other bike riders for mob justice if involved in an accident.

From Quartz

I’m thinking it’s time to have a hard talk with my boss about this, and I’m terrified.

From Washington Post

The rugby player says she was terrified when she came out on social media, but she wanted to overcome the negative feelings that had weighed on her.

From Time

The giant retailer is realizing its dream of getting into the banking business, which should terrify populists of all stripes.

From The Daily Beast

Epidurals terrify me, which is why I decided on a natural birth.

From The Daily Beast

That's what should terrify neoconservatives -- not the bogus anti-Israel charges.

From The Daily Beast

The Daily Beast rounds up a list of bizarre conditions that rarely strike,  but still manage to terrify.

From The Daily Beast

The operation was apparently intended to terrify the residents into leaving voluntarily, but instead it steeled their resolve.

From The Daily Beast

You can terrify this woman with the thunders of the law if she persists in kidnapping children that don't belong to her.

From Project Gutenberg

Meantime the trader would use his precious possession, the letter written by Helen Ervin, to terrify the girl.

From Project Gutenberg

What is it that gives evil governments their influence, but their power to terrify, and their wealth and honours to seduce?

From Project Gutenberg

They "supped full of horrors," and listened greedily to tales of death, which served to weaken and terrify.

From Project Gutenberg

They terrify the weak minded by frightful ideas which they hold out to them of the Deity.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alarm
• awe
• dismay
• frighten
• horrify
• intimidate
• petrify
• shock
• startle
• stun
• terrorize