Definition

Verb: To fill with extreme fear; to frighten someone greatly.

Usage

The verb "terrify" describes the action of causing someone to feel intense, overwhelming terror or dread. It is a strong word indicating a level of fear beyond simple fright or nervousness. It is typically used with a direct object (someone or something is terrified).

Examples

• The sudden, loud explosion terrified the entire neighborhood.
• The thought of speaking in front of a large crowd terrifies her.
• He was terrified by the strange noises coming from the basement at night.

Advanced Usage

• To be terrified of (something/someone): This is a common passive construction describing the state of feeling extreme fear.
  • Many people are terrified of spiders.
• Terrifying (Adjective): Used to describe something that causes terror.
  • The movie featured a terrifying monster.

Variants and Related Words

• Terrified (Adjective): Filled with terror.
  • The terrified child hid under the bed.
• Terrifying (Adjective): Causing terror.
  • It was a terrifying experience.
• Terror (Noun): Extreme fear.
  • The villagers lived in terror of the dragon.

Synonyms

• Frighten: To make afraid (can be less intense than terrify).
• Horrify: To cause feelings of horror, often mixed with shock or disgust.
• Petrify: To paralyze with fear; to make someone so frightened they cannot move.
• Alarm: To cause sudden fear or anxiety about danger.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Constructions

• Terrify someone into (doing something): To use terror to force someone to act.
  • The dictator terrified the population into submission.

Verb

1. fill with terror; frighten greatly