Word Study
terrify
CIDE DICTIONARY
terrify, v. t. [L. terrere to frighten + -fy: cf. F. terrifier, L. terrificare. See Terrific, and -fy.].
- To make terrible. [1913 Webster]"If the law, instead of aggravating and terrifying sin, shall give out license, it foils itself." [1913 Webster]
- To alarm or shock with fear; to frighten. [1913 Webster]"When ye shall hear of wars . . . be not terrified." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
terrify, v.tr. (-ies, -ied) fill with terror; frighten severely (terrified them into submission; is terrified of dogs).
Derivative
terrifier n. terrifyingly adv.
Etymology
L terrificare (as TERRIFIC)
THESAURUS
terrify
affright, alarm, appall, awe, freeze, fright, frighten, horrify, paralyze, petrify, scare, scare stiff, scare to death, shock, spook, startle, strike dumb, strike terror into, stun, stupefy, terrorizeROGET THESAURUS
terrify
Fear
VB fear, stand in awe of, be afraid, have qualms, apprehend, sit upon thorns, eye askance, distrust, hesitate, falter, funk, cower, crouch, skulk, let 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would' take fright, take alarm, start, wince, flinch, shy, shrink, fly, tremble, shake, shiver, shiver in one's shoes, shudder, flutter, shake like an aspen leaf, tremble like an aspen leaf, tremble all over, quake, quaver, quiver, quail, grow pale, turn pale, blench, stand aghast, not dare to say one's soul is one's own, inspire fear, excite fear, inspire awe, excite awe, raise apprehensions, be in a daze, bulldoze, faze, feeze, give an alarm, raise an alarm, sound an alarm, alarm, startle, scare, cry 'wolf', disquiet, dismay, fright, frighten, terrify, astound, fright from one's propriety, fright out of one's senses, fright out of one's wits, fright out of one's seven senses, awe, strike all of a heap, strike an awe into, strike terror, harrow up the soul, appall, unman, petrify, horrify, pile on the agony, make one's flesh creep, make one's hair stand on end, make one's blood run cold, make one's teeth chatter, take away one's breath, stop one's breath, make one tremble, haunt, prey on the mind, weigh on the mind, put in fear, put in bodily fear, terrorize, intimidate, cow, daunt, overawe, abash, deter, discourage, browbeat, bully, threaten.For further exploring for "terrify" in Webster Dictionary Online