frozen with terror

USAGE SUMMARY

'frozen with terror' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of intense fear or horror. For example, "The man was frozen with terror when he saw the massive spider in his bedroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I remember just being frozen with terror," she says.

Independent

They are frozen with terror, and a kind of rapture.

The Guardian - Film

He stands, "frozen with terror, thinking, They are going to kill me".

The New Yorker

He just sits in his uncle's dismal little book-room, frozen with terror, trying to avert his gaze when in company from returning to the fateful volume.

The Guardian - Books

For instance, the movie (unnamed by Moeller) that shows a group of people listening to a radio speech makes the people on camera the actors themselves, even more than the characters they play look frozen with terror; it's a vision of a totalitarian regime at work that should send chills through citizens and performers alike.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When his old neighbor sees him in the driveway, she stares, frozen with disbelief and terror, holding a bag of groceries.

The New York Times - Arts

I dealt with mechanical failures and emergency situations that would have frozen me with terror before I started flying.

Huffington Post

I think this was the cause of so many night terrors, of waking in the dark, or waiting to go to sleep and being frozen with fear, knowing if I opened my eyes something was hovering above the bed.

The Guardian

I was frozen with fear.

The New York Times

Some stood mute, frozen with fear.

The New York Times

But I felt frozen with fear.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frozen with terror" to vividly depict a state of extreme fear where someone is rendered motionless. For enhanced impact, combine with sensory details describing the source of the terror.

Common error

Avoid using "frozen with terror" to describe mild discomfort or nervousness. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios involving genuine, paralyzing fear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frozen with terror" functions as an adjectival phrase describing a state of being. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is experiencing intense fear to the point of immobility. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frozen with terror" effectively describes a state of intense fear rendering someone motionless. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, this phrase commonly appears in news and media contexts to vividly depict extreme emotional states. Alternatives like "petrified with fear" or "paralyzed by terror" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using "frozen with terror", reserve it for scenarios involving genuine, paralyzing fear to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

petrified with fear

Replaces "frozen" with "petrified", emphasizing the immobilizing effect of fear.

paralyzed by terror

Substitutes "frozen" with "paralyzed", highlighting the inability to move due to intense fear.

immobilized with fright

Uses "immobilized" instead of "frozen", focusing on the lack of movement caused by fright.

rooted to the spot with fear

Emphasizes the inability to move from a specific location due to fear.

transfixed with horror

Focuses on being captivated and unable to move due to horror.

stricken with terror

Highlights being suddenly and powerfully affected by terror.

stunned with fear

Emphasizes the shock and disorientation caused by fear.

aghast with terror

Highlights being filled with horror and shock.

dumbstruck with fear

Focuses on being rendered speechless by fear.

rigid with terror

Emphasizes physical stiffness caused by intense fear.

FAQs

How can I use "frozen with terror" in a sentence?

Use "frozen with terror" to describe a state of extreme fear that causes immobility. For example, "She stood "frozen with terror" as the shadowy figure approached."

What's the difference between "frozen with fear" and "frozen with terror"?

"Frozen with fear" and "frozen with terror" are very similar, but "terror" suggests a more intense and overwhelming sense of fear than just "fear".

What are some alternatives to "frozen with terror"?

You can use alternatives such as "petrified with fear", "paralyzed by terror", or "immobilized with fright" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "frozen with terror"?

Yes, "frozen with terror" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a state of extreme fear that causes someone to be unable to move.