petrified

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "petrified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a feeling of intense fear or a state of being paralyzed with fear – for example, "I was petrified when I saw a huge bear in the woods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was petrified.

The Guardian - Film

And then the lemon trees, in the airport car park, and then the architecture, of buildings lining the motorway, which looked, in the moonlight, like petrified robots.

The Guardian - Travel

Related: We declared in 2014 that black lives matter because we saw how often they didn't | Syreeta McFadden More than 120 years ago, Missouri's greatest writer and sage, Mark Twain, wrote, "Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul in this world – and never will".

The Guardian - Opinion

Next thing you know Pratt is saying the island needs to be evacuated, people are getting picked off and the once placid scientist is shouting "RUNNNNNN!" at the already petrified kids.

The Guardian - Film

"One day you're soaring with optimism, the next day you're petrified.

The Guardian

As we have reported on previous occasions, many banks have embarked on a process of "de-risking" their businesses – ie, dumping customers who could potentially be deemed risky and generally tightening up their rules – because they are petrified about falling foul of the regulations on money laundering and financing crime, and being hit with huge fines as a result.

The Guardian - Money

"They were petrified," said Bogdanova.

The Guardian

Still, David Cameron has made a series of media interventions over the past few weeks designed to assure Britons that he is as petrified as they are.

The Economist

Given the symbolism of EDF, whose powerful unions have petrified previous governments, this change in itself is no small achievement.In this section The price of unexpected success Big mountains,small mice Why cocks can't crow Is it rejection or seduction?

The Economist

One case, where a family was petrified by halved lemons strewn outside the house, clothes torn and the milk spoilt with salt, was traced to a daughter-in-law whose husband would not take her to the movies.

The Economist

"Titanic" has most to lose and the two studios that backed it, Fox and Paramount, were clearly petrified by its three-hour-plus running time.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "petrified" to vividly describe moments of intense fear or shock, creating a strong emotional impact on the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "petrified" in overly casual or lighthearted situations, as its intensity can sound unnatural or exaggerated. Opt for milder terms like "scared" or "nervous" in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "petrified" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns or pronouns to describe a state of extreme fear or, less commonly, the process of turning something into stone. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its adjectival use, such as describing people or objects as being "petrified".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "petrified" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective to describe a state of extreme fear. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, noting its presence across various contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias. While it can be used in neutral and even formal registers, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Related terms like "terrified" or "scared stiff" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity. When aiming to express a sense of being immobilized by fear, "petrified" remains a powerful and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrified

Simple synonym replacing "petrified" with a common word for intense fear.

scared stiff

Idiomatic expression conveying extreme fear leading to paralysis.

paralyzed with fear

Emphasizes the immobilizing effect of intense fear.

frozen in fear

Similar to 'paralyzed with fear', but highlights the inability to move.

horrified

Indicates a mix of fear and revulsion.

frightened

General term for being made afraid; less intense than "petrified".

aghast

Implies shock and dismay in addition to fear.

intimidated

Suggests fear due to a sense of being threatened or overpowered.

turned to stone

A more literal interpretation of the petrification metaphor, implying complete immobility.

in a state of terror

A formal expression conveying the condition of experiencing extreme fear.

FAQs

How can "petrified" be used in a sentence?

You can use "petrified" to describe a state of extreme fear, for example, "I was "petrified" when I heard the strange noise at night".

What's the difference between "petrified" and "scared"?

"Petrified" implies a much stronger level of fear than "scared". Being "petrified" suggests feeling paralyzed with fear, while "scared" is a more general term.

Which is more appropriate, "petrified" or "frightened"?

"Petrified" is used for situations involving intense terror, while "frightened" is appropriate for milder forms of fear. Choose "petrified" when you want to convey a sense of being overwhelmed by fear.

What can I say instead of "petrified" to sound less dramatic?

Alternatives include "nervous", "anxious", or "concerned", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.