petrified
adjective
pet·ri·fied
ˈpe-trə-ˌfīd 
1
: converted into stone through a slow process of mineralization
petrified wood
a petrified forest
And at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History's annual dinosaur ball, about 800 patrons in black tie or gown waltz among the petrified remains of the once-glorious creatures.—
Sheldon Teitelbaum
Sheldon Teitelbaum2
: overwhelmingly fearful
was petrified of speaking in public
: rendered motionless or unable to act by fear
Charlie climbed onto the bed and tried to calm the three old people who were still petrified with fear. "Please don't be frightened," he said. "It's quite safe. And we're going to the most wonderful place in the world!"—Roald Dahl
Roald DahlWinky's petrified brown eyes were visible through her fingers. She seemed too appalled to speak.—J. K. Rowling
J. K. RowlingExamples of petrified in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to the rounded skull, the skeleton contains the first record of a pachycephalosaur hand and a complete tail covered with petrified tendons.
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2025
The southern end of the park is known for its high concentration of petrified wood, but the northern end has jaw-dropping views of the Painted Desert, the colorful expanse of hills, buttes, and mesas in Arizona’s high desert.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
But this other guy who was petrified of Thompson is the brother of a local politician.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
Inca terraces climb the mountainside like petrified waves—while the ceremonial fortress, etched with sun temples and water channels, casts shadows over cobbled alleys.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petrified
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Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2025
The southern end of the park is known for its high concentration of petrified wood, but the northern end has jaw-dropping views of the Painted Desert, the colorful expanse of hills, buttes, and mesas in Arizona’s high desert.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
But this other guy who was petrified of Thompson is the brother of a local politician.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
Inca terraces climb the mountainside like petrified waves—while the ceremonial fortress, etched with sun temples and water channels, casts shadows over cobbled alleys.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petrified
Cite this Entry
“Petrified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petrified. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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