definitely terrified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely terrified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of fear or anxiety about a situation or event. Example: "When I heard the loud crash outside, I was definitely terrified and didn't know what to expect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Kassem added, "It is definitely a wake-up call, and they're definitely terrified and they're finally grasping".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The whole artistic arc was brand-new for me, definitely terrifying". .

Vice

Let's all pray that Phil Robertson keeps his faith, because his fantasy of what would be permissible if he lost it is definitely terrifying.

Huffington Post

As a proud Canadian who also happens to be a woman of colour, an immigrant from Pakistan, and as someone raised a Muslim, the current climate is definitely terrifying.

Vice

I had most definitely been terrified, and I silently said a prayer of thanks.

Huffington Post

Asked whether the prospect of facing the world No 3 tomorrow was "exciting or terrifying", Watson said: "Oh, definitely not terrifying.

Independent

"It's definitely not terrifying.

BBC

"I don't know how to describe it... they definitely just looked terrified," Sanchez told me outside of the Home Depot.

Vice

Wyman believed that the character was "terrifying" and "definitely one of the most frightening bad guys we've had".

Wikipedia

I'm terrified, terrified".

The New Yorker

Absolutely terrified".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely terrified" to convey a strong sense of fear or anxiety in situations where the speaker wants to emphasize the intensity of their emotional state. It is suitable for both personal narratives and descriptions of others' feelings.

Common error

While "definitely terrified" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can reduce its impact. Consider stronger, more precise vocabulary to convey fear, such as "petrified" or "apprehensive", depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely terrified" functions as an intensifier (definitely) modifying an adjective (terrified). Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable in written English, indicating it strengthens the emotional impact of the adjective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "definitely terrified" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong feeling of fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to convey the intensity of someone's emotional state. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the audience and context to ensure the phrase's impact is appropriate. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "genuinely fearful" or "extremely anxious" might be more suitable. The analysis reveals that "definitely terrified" serves to emphasize the depth of the speaker's emotional experience and is well-understood across a variety of sources. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential for overuse and consider stronger, more precise vocabulary to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely frightened

Emphasizes the intensity of fear, similar to "definitely terrified".

utterly scared

Highlights the completeness of the fear experienced.

completely alarmed

Focuses on the sudden realization of danger and resulting anxiety.

genuinely fearful

Indicates a sincere and authentic experience of fear.

truly afraid

Emphasizes the genuine nature of the fear.

extremely anxious

Shifts the focus to anxiety, a close relative of fear.

really apprehensive

Highlights a feeling of unease and worry about future events.

quite petrified

Uses a stronger term ("petrified") to amplify the sense of fear.

incredibly worried

Focuses on the worry aspect of being terrified.

somewhat intimidated

Suggests a less intense form of fear, closer to feeling threatened or daunted.

FAQs

How can I use "definitely terrified" in a sentence?

You can use "definitely terrified" to express a strong feeling of fear or anxiety. For example, "When I heard the news, I was "definitely terrified" and didn't know what to expect."

What are some alternatives to "definitely terrified"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely frightened", "utterly scared", or "completely alarmed" depending on the context and the intensity you want to convey.

Is "definitely terrified" formal or informal?

"Definitely terrified" leans towards informal but is acceptable in many contexts. For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "genuinely fearful" or "extremely anxious".

How does "definitely terrified" differ from "slightly scared"?

"Definitely terrified" indicates a much stronger and more intense feeling of fear than "slightly scared", which suggests a mild level of fear or unease.