TERRIFY Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

terrify

verb

ˈter-ə-ˌfī

Definition of terrify

as in to frighten

to strike with fear the prospect of speaking in front of a huge crowd of people absolutely terrifies me

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of terrify Family members on the ground waiting for their kids to get off the ride were terrified as well, the girls said. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 What terrifies you about this moment and inspires you about this moment? — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 He is terrified by it, but at the same time tries to use this instrument of terror so as to be master of it in his turn. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026 What for decades seemed a hypothetical problem to be solved at some later date is suddenly a concrete, terrifying one for today. — Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrify

Verb

Diego Gomez is a stop-gap alternative, but Mitoma remains a key figure who frightens opposing defences with his dribbling speed and influential record in the top flight.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
But what frightened me most was not death alone, but the idea of dying before my writings reached the world—that my story would disappear with me, and that my feelings, my memories, my identity, and my human experience would be erased.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

Preconceptions, assumptions, and advance knowledge in the viewing public are regarded as impediments to the capacity of the tale to surprise, startle, or transport.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Sometimes workers would be startled by the sight of a machine moving by itself and realize it was being controlled by someone in Turkey.

— Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of startle

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terrifies

terrify

terrifying

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“Terrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrify. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of terrify

verb

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