terrify

[ter-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

terrified, terrifying 

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

terrify

/ ˈtɛrɪˌfaɪ /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• terrifier noun
• terrifyingly adverb
• unterrified adjective
• unterrifying 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

Yet Michelle, terrifying as she is, proves to be admirably sharp and resourceful.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I do not believe this is exaggeration to say there is a real and meaningful pro-Hamas contingent of the Democrat Party in Washington, and the remainder of the Democrats are terrified of the pro-Hamas contingent.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"It's so loud and so terrifying," says Nina, a Belgorod resident who asked us to change her name.

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"We chose a terrifying looking skull and crossbones off the wall because we were marines and skulls and crossbones are pretty standard military thing," he said.

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They said Reform UK had "better things to be focusing on than the political posturing of non-entity Labour MPs who are terrified of losing their seats to us at the next election".

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Related Words

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