terrify
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Related Words
See frighten.
Other Word Forms
- terrifier noun
- terrifyingly adverb
- unterrified adjective
- unterrifying adjective
Etymology
Origin of terrify
1565–75; < Latin terrificāre, equivalent to terr ( ēre ) to frighten + -ificāre -ify
Explanation
If you terrify someone, that person is enormously frightened of you. The verb terrify is closely related to the word terror, and its Latin root is terrificus, "causing terror." While some people might say that monsters terrify them, others are terrified by heights, snakes, or speaking in public. If there's something that makes you feel a deep, horrible sense of fear, it terrifies you.
Vocabulary lists containing terrify
"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
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"In the Spotlight," Vocabulary from the informational text
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The House of Hades
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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.
Here’s the part that should terrify everyone buying “AI-powered trading systems” in 2025: Even now, with every firm on Wall Street running the same technology, Medallion still beats them.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 15, 2025
“I’ve come to view Jesus the way I’ve come to view Elvis. I love the guy, but some of the fan clubs terrify me.”
From Salon • Sep. 19, 2025
Katie Gauche, of the Disabled Children's Partnership, said the idea of scrapping plans will "terrify families".
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2025
This one was how can we only use dialogue to provoke, terrify and generate suspense.”
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2024
Inside he was quaking with fear, but outside he gave the Keeper as cold and imperious a look as El Patron had ever mustered to terrify an underling.
From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
