terrify
- to fill with terror or alarm; make greatly afraid.
Origin of terrify
Synonym study
Examples from the Web for terrifying
Contemporary Examples of terrifying
The sex workers I spoke with rightly call it “vile,” “gross,” “terrifying,” and “exploitative.”
Hollywood sure hopes so, because the idea that disgruntled insiders could do this is terrifying to Tinsel Town.
The Babadook is the shape of grief: all-enveloping, shape-shifting, black, here intensely, terrifying, then gone.
The music was, as he describes it, “harrowing, beautiful, terrifying.”
The ordeal faced by Ms. Kolkiewicz, the Ebola victim, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Mutora is terrifying.
Historical Examples of terrifying
Who'd keep him till this hour, terrifying of us all into fits?
The ChanningsMrs. Henry Wood
He used to tell me about wonderful and terrifying adventures.
My Double LifeSarah Bernhardt
The wall was high and the stones "jiggled" in a terrifying way.
Four Girls and a CompactAnnie Hamilton Donnell
And he had no idea from which direction the terrifying sound had come.
Salvage in SpaceJohn Stewart Williamson
All the men placed themselves at the windows to hide the terrifying sight.
The FloodEmile Zola
terrifying
- causing great fear or dread; extremely frightening
terrify
- (tr) to inspire fear or dread in; frighten greatly
Word Origin for terrify
Word Origin and History for terrifying
terrify
1570s, from Latin terrificare "to frighten," from terrificus "causing terror" (see terrific). Related: Terrified; terrifying.