petrify
Americanverb (used with object)
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to convert into stone or a stony substance.
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to benumb or paralyze with astonishment, horror, or other strong emotion.
I was petrified with fear.
- Synonyms:
- daze, dumbfound, immobilize
-
to make rigid or inert; harden; deaden.
The tragedy in his life petrified his emotions.
verb (used without object)
verb
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(tr; often passive) to convert (organic material, esp plant material) into a fossilized form by impregnation with dissolved minerals so that the original appearance is preserved
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to make or become dull, unresponsive, insensitive, etc; deaden
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(tr; often passive) to stun or daze with horror, fear, etc
Other Word Forms
- petrifiable adjective
- petrificant adjective
- petrifier noun
- unpetrifying adjective
Etymology
Origin of petrify
From the Middle French word petrifier, dating back to 1585–95. See petri-, -fy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“You had that same petrified look just now.”
From Literature
"I felt petrified because other people were petrified for me," she says.
From BBC
There were rocks on desks among the petrified yellow jackets, and glass on the floor right where you wanted to step.
From Literature
She added that K called Wixon "the witch" and was "petrified" of her.
From BBC
McFadden has remained inside her Dubai hotel since the weekend and described the situation as "petrifying".
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
