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Terrifyingly: meaning, definitions and examples

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terrifyingly

 

[tɛˈrɪfaɪɪŋli ]

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

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

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "terrifyingly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aterrorizantemente

🇮🇳 डरावने तरीके से

🇩🇪 erschreckend

🇮🇩 mengerikan

🇺🇦 страшенно

🇵🇱 przerażająco

🇯🇵 恐ろしく

🇫🇷 terriblement

🇪🇸 aterradoramente

🇹🇷 dehşet verici bir şekilde

🇰🇷 무섭게

🇸🇦 بشكل مرعب

🇨🇿 děsivě

🇸🇰 desivo

🇨🇳 可怕地

🇸🇮 strašljivo

🇮🇸 hræðilega

🇰🇿 қорқынышты түрде

🇬🇪 საშინლად

🇦🇿 dəhşətli şəkildə

🇲🇽 aterradoramente

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.