Terrifying Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฑ
terrifying
[หterษชfaษชษชล ]
Definition
describing something causing extreme fear or dread
Causing terror or extreme fear; extremely frightening.
Synonyms
chilling, dreadful, frightening, horrifying, scary.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| terrifying |
Used to describe something extremely scary that causes intense fear.
|
| frightening |
Describes something that makes you feel afraid, typically used for sudden or startling events.
|
| scary |
A more casual term to describe something that causes fear or is likely to scare someone.
|
| horrifying |
Used to describe something that causes intense fear, shock, or disgust.
|
| dreadful |
Used to describe something very bad or unpleasant, often causing fear or horror.
|
| chilling |
Describes something that causes a feeling of coldness or fear, often associated with suspense or eerie situations.
|
Examples of usage
- It was a terrifying experience to be lost in the dark forest.
- The horror movie was so terrifying that I had nightmares for weeks.
- The sound of footsteps in the abandoned house was absolutely terrifying.
- The storm outside was so terrifying that we stayed indoors all night.
- The thought of facing the monster was truly terrifying.
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 you to react to danger.
- People sometimes enjoy 'terrifying' experiences, such as haunted houses or scary movies, because they allow safe explorations of fear.
Pop Culture
- Many horror films strive to be 'terrifying' by using suspense and shocking imagery to evoke fear.
- Video games often use 'terrifying' elements, like jump scares, to engage players and amplify excitement during gameplay.
Literature
- 'Terrifying' imagery is commonly used in gothic literature, where dark settings and supernatural occurrences create fear.
- Authors like Stephen King are known for creating 'terrifying' narratives that explore the darker sides of human nature.
Biology
- Certain animals, like snakes or spiders, may elicit a 'terrifying' response in humans due to evolutionary instincts to avoid danger.
- The idea of something 'terrifying' can also apply to natural phenomena, like storms or earthquakes, that pose a threat to safety.
Origin of 'terrifying'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'terrifying' comes from the Latin root 'terrere', which means 'to frighten' or 'to scare'.
- It combines 'terrify' (to scare greatly) and the suffix '-ing', which describes the action or process of causing fear.
The word 'terrifying' originates from the verb 'terrify', which dates back to the late 16th century. The suffix '-ing' is added to create the adjective form, 'terrifying'. The root of the word comes from the Latin word 'terrere', meaning 'to frighten'. Over time, 'terrifying' has been used to describe situations, experiences, or entities that evoke extreme fear or dread in individuals.
See also: terrified, terrifyingly.