Terrified Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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terrified

[ˈterəˌfaɪd ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling fear or anxiety

Terrified is used to describe someone who is extremely frightened or scared. It is a strong emotion that can cause physical and mental distress. People who are terrified may feel paralyzed with fear, unable to move or think clearly.

Synonyms

frightened, horrified, panicked, petrified, scared.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
terrified	This word expresses an intense, overwhelming fear. It's suitable when someone is extremely scared to the point of being paralyzed by their fear. She was terrified when she saw the shadowy figure in her room The thought of losing her child left her absolutely terrified
frightened	Use this word for situations where someone is scared or alarmed, but not to the extreme degree of being 'terrified'. It suggests a more temporary or less intense feeling of fear. The loud bang in the middle of the night frightened all the children He was frightened by the sudden movement in the bushes
scared	This is a general term for feeling fear and can be used in both serious and light-hearted contexts. It's less intense than 'terrified' or 'petrified'. She felt scared during the thunderstorm The movie was so scary that he got scared multiple times
panicked	This word describes a sudden, overwhelming fear that often leads to a loss of control and hasty, irrational actions. He panicked when he realized he had lost his passport at the airport The students panicked when the fire alarm went off during their exam
horrified	This word is appropriate when someone is shocked and appalled by something horrific or disturbing, often related to witnessing something gruesome or morally shocking. She was horrified to find out about the cruel treatment of the animals The crowd was horrified by the graphic scenes in the horror movie
petrified	This term implies being so scared that one is unable to move or think, almost as if turned to stone. She was petrified at the thought of speaking in front of a large audience The child stood petrified as the dog ran towards him

Examples of usage

She was terrified of the dark and refused to go outside after sunset.
He was terrified of heights and couldn't bring himself to climb the ladder.
The loud noise made the dog terrified and he cowered in the corner.
I was absolutely terrified when I heard someone walking behind me in the dark alley.
The horror movie left the audience terrified and screaming in their seats.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Feeling terrified can trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response, preparing us to either run away or defend ourselves.
Fear can be categorized into two types: rational fears (like worrying about getting hurt) and irrational fears (such as fear of certain animals).
Studies show that people tend to remember terrifying experiences very vividly because of how our brain processes fear.

Literature

Classic horror literature often uses terrifying elements, like ghosts or monsters, to explore deeper themes of humanity’s fears.
In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', characters often express terror as they confront guilt, ambition, and the supernatural.
Many iconic stories, like Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein', evoke terror to explore ethical boundaries in science and human experience.

Pop Culture

Movies in the horror genre, like 'The Exorcist' or 'Psycho', aim to terrify audiences, often becoming cult classics.
Popular TV shows like 'Stranger Things' combine elements of terror with adventure, appealing to a wide audience.
Halloween, the holiday, creates a season of thrill and terror, where people enjoy scary costumes and haunted houses for fun.

Neuroscience

When someone feels terrified, the amygdala in the brain is activated, which plays a key role in processing fear.
The brain's response to terror includes the release of adrenaline, which can make the heart race and sharpen senses.
Research indicates that being frequently exposed to fear can lead to long-term changes in brain structure and function.

Cultural Practices

Many cultures celebrate festivals featuring terrifying stories or dances to symbolize overcoming fear, like the Day of the Dead in Mexico.
Some cultures believe that allowing oneself to be terrified in controlled environments, like haunted houses, can be a way to cope with real-life fears.
Folklore across the globe often features terrifying creatures that serve to warn individuals against certain behaviors or choices.

Origin of 'terrified'

The word terrified comes from the Latin word 'terrere' which means 'to frighten'. The suffix -ed is added to form the past participle, creating the adjective terrified. The concept of being terrified has been a common human experience throughout history, as fear is a natural response to perceived danger or threat.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,536 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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