terrify

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtɛrɪfʌɪ/

verb (terrifies, terrifying, terrified)

[with object]
  • cause to feel extreme fear: the thought terrifies me (as adjective terrified) he is terrified of spiders [with clause]: she was terrified he would drop her (as adjective terrifying) the terrifying events of the past few weeks

Derivatives

terrifier

noun

terrifyingly

adverb
[as submodifier]: the bombs are terrifyingly accurate

Origin:

late 16th century: from Latin terrificare, from terrificus 'frightening' (see terrific)

Spelling help

Remember that the ending of terrify is spelled -ify.