petrify

USAGE SUMMARY

"petrify" is an accepted word in written English and can be used to indicate that someone is frightened or very scared.
Example sentence: His menacing glare petrified me and I could no longer move.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Such is the message conveyed by graphic new cigarette labels, unveiled by America's Food and Drug Administration FDAA) on June 21st.The FDA's warnings are the latest attempt by a government to nauseate and petrify its citizenry.

The Economist

It is so deep-pocketed, in fact, that even if the purchase were to be blocked by shareholders or regulators, the west London firm would continue to petrify commercial rivals.Sky grew out of a network founded by Mr Murdoch in the late 1980s.

The Economist

Belarus now looks doomed to petrify in its sad, regressive state, unless Russia can be persuaded to do something about it.Before last week's referendum, there were widespread fears about how the votes would be counted.

The Economist

Shrewdly anticipating the volcanic cloud that was shortly to petrify Europe, we took the Eurostar.

Independent

She had the gift of finding beauty in a wasteland, and her eye tends to petrify what it looks at.

The New Yorker

His opinion on Ergenekon changed as he researched, signaling perhaps that government pressure can no longer be used as a way to petrify opinions, that cool analysis of evidence could tip the scales of the debate.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

I was petrified.

The Guardian - Film

The first time you stand in front of the class as a member of staff is absolutely petrifying.

The Guardian

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "petrify" to describe fear, consider the intensity you want to convey. It suggests a profound, almost paralyzing fear, so reserve it for situations where this level of fear is accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "petrify" in contexts where a milder form of fear or shock is intended. Using "petrify" to describe mild surprise or discomfort can sound exaggerated or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "petrify" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of causing someone or something to become rigid, like stone, or to be paralyzed with fear. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in news and literature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "petrify" functions primarily as a transitive verb, used to describe causing something to become like stone or, more commonly, to cause extreme fear. Ludwig AI confirms that "petrify" is an accepted word in written English, used to indicate intense fright. Usage examples from Ludwig showcase its presence in news media, literature, and scientific contexts, and based on the evidence extracted from Ludwig, the word maintains a neutral to formal register. When aiming to express a state of paralyzing fear or a transformation into rigidity, "petrify" serves as a potent and evocative choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrify

Focuses specifically on inducing extreme fear.

frighten

A more general term for causing fear.

scare

Implies a sudden and often temporary feeling of fear.

stun

Emphasizes the immobilizing effect, similar to being "petrified".

immobilize

Highlights the inability to move due to fear or shock.

render motionless

Focuses on the physical inability to move.

turn to stone

A more literal interpretation, evoking the original meaning of "petrify".

ossify

Describes the process of becoming rigid or inflexible, either literally or figuratively.

lapidify

Similar to "petrify", referring to turning something into stone.

stupefy

Indicates a state of mental numbness or shock.

FAQs

How can I use "petrify" in a sentence?

You can use "petrify" to describe causing someone to become immobile with fear, such as "The horror movie petrified the audience."

What words can I use instead of "petrify" when describing fear?

Alternatives include "terrify", "frighten", or "scare", depending on the level of intensity you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "petrify" in a figurative sense?

Yes, "petrify" is often used figuratively to describe making someone feel extremely frightened or shocked. For example, "The bad news petrified her."

What's the difference between "petrify" and "scare"?

"Scare" implies a sudden, often brief feeling of fear, while "petrify" suggests a more intense and paralyzing fear. "The loud noise scared me", but "The ghostly figure petrified me."