Example Sentences

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 Being terrified is baseline for a founder of a startup. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 According to her pet profile, Bentley was brought into the shelter in January 2024, and was utterly terrified. Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025 Two Iranian families, converts to Christianity, gathered in this room, all but one person terrified of letting their faces be seen. Federico Rios, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025 On the military plane ride from California to Panama, Mona, a 32-year-old Iranian Christian convert, said her 8-year-old son cried, terrified to see his parents shackled. Julie Turkewitz, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrify
Verb
  • On the streets, conservative protesters, frightened that the left could win the next election, have rallied to Yoon.
    ROBERT E. KELLY, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2025
  • That frightened stray kitten forgot her fears and moved up on that ball of paper and batted it across the floor and then batted it again.
    Carole Wendt, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In 2023, a bear barged into a bakery in Avon, scared employees and helped itself to 60 cupcakes before ambling away.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Wise infuses a nurturing maturity and vulnerability in Nicole that scares Roger, and challenges him to confront his unhealthy relationship habits and general indecisiveness.
    Morgan A. Grain, Essence, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Though friendly toward her until that moment, Tembo was startled by the noise.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
  • But when Freed walked away, the elk got startled and ran into a gully full of snow.
    The Steamboat Pilot, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Terrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrify. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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