terrify
verb (used with object)
to fill with terror or alarm; make greatly afraid.
was terrifying
-
past progressiveof terrify.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Aged 31 when he took over the company, he said his first day was "terrifying".
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
Curry made him a Bozo hiding sharp teeth, which was terrifying but not alluring in the least.
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026
But in Tehran one resident told Paris-based AFP journalists that the prospect of any deal with the current government was "terrifying".
From Barron's ● May 6, 2026
"It was terrifying because there was no-one there, it was just me and him."
From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026
At the distance of a long bowshot from the village, the scene was terrifying.
From "In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse" by Joseph Marshall III
