B2verb3K

Terrify

UK /["/ˈterɪfaɪ/","/ˈterɪfaɪz/","/ˈterɪfaɪd/","/ˈterɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈterɪfaɪ/","/ˈterɪfaɪz/","/ˈterɪfaɪd/","/ˈterɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to make somebody feel extremely frightened

In simple words: To make someone very scared.

Examples

  • Flying terrifies her.
  • Stop it! You’re terrifying the children!
  • He terrified employees at the bank into handing over cash.

Usage notes

Use 'terrify' when describing extreme fear. It's appropriate for storytelling or describing scary situations but less common in casual conversation. Avoid using with light-hearted topics.

Grammar pattern

terrify + object

Memory hint

Sounds like 'tear a fry' — imagine a scary clown in a food truck scaring everyone away.

Collocations

  • terrify a child
  • terrify someone
  • terrify with a story

Synonyms

  • frighten
  • scare
  • horrify
  • alarm
  • appall

Antonyms

  • calm
  • comfort
  • reassure

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'scare' which is more casual.
  • Wrongly used in passive voice without context (e.g., 'was terrified them').
  • Using it in past tense incorrectly without context (e.g., 'terrifed').