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Terrifyingly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜ฑ
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terrifyingly

[tษ›หˆrษชfaษชษชล‹li ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

in a scary manner

In a manner that causes great fear or terror.

Synonyms

frighteningly, horrifyingly, scarily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
terrifyingly

Use in situations where intense fear is involved, often creating a sense of dread or panic. Can be used to amplify the effect of an adjective.

  • The storm grew terrifyingly violent
  • The situation escalated terrifyingly quickly
frighteningly

Appropriate for situations causing fear or alarm, but not necessarily at the extreme level of terror. Commonly used to describe something surprising and a bit disturbing.

  • The disease spread frighteningly fast
  • It was frighteningly quiet in the abandoned building
horrifyingly

Typically used in scenarios that are shocking and hideous, often inducing shock and disgust. Can imply a gruesome or repulsive element.

  • The scene at the accident was horrifyingly graphic
  • He told us a horrifyingly gruesome story
scarily

Casual context where something is startling or creepy but not necessarily inducing deep fear. Often used in everyday language to describe something mildly scary.

  • His new mask looks scarily realistic
  • It was scarily dark in the forest

Examples of usage

  • The horror movie was terrifyingly realistic.
  • She looked at him with a terrifyingly cold expression.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Fear is a basic human emotion that can have physical effects like increased heart rate and heightened senses.
  • Experiencing fear can trigger the fight-or-flight response, helping a person react quickly to danger.

Literature

  • Gothic literature often uses terrifying imagery to evoke a sense of dread and suspense, captivating readers since the 18th century.
  • Authors like Stephen King masterfully use this word to heighten the horror in their thrilling narratives.

Pop Culture

  • Horror films frequently rely on terrifying elements to engage and entertain audiences, often featuring jump scares and dark themes.
  • Video games like 'Silent Hill' and 'Resident Evil' utilize terrifying atmospheres to immerse players in fear.

Science

  • Researchers find that experiencing fear can lead to the release of adrenaline, heightening focus and awareness.
  • Fear can have evolutionary benefits, alerting humans to potential dangers and fostering survival.

Origin of 'terrifyingly'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'terrifying' comes from the Latin 'terrere,' which means 'to frighten.'
  • Adding '-ly' turns an adjective into an adverb, showing how something is doneโ€”here, itโ€™s done in a scary way.

The word 'terrifyingly' is derived from the verb 'terrify', which comes from the Latin word 'terrere' meaning 'to frighten'. The suffix '-ingly' is added to form the adverb 'terrifyingly', which has been in use since the 16th century.

See also: terrified, terrifying.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,193, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.