petrify

[ pe-truh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, pet·ri·fied, pet·ri·fy·ing.

1. to convert into stone or a stony substance.
2. to benumb or paralyze with astonishment, horror, or other strong emotion:

   I was petrified with fear.

   Synonyms: daze, dumbfound, immobilize

3. to make rigid or inert; harden; deaden:

   The tragedy in his life petrified his emotions.

verb (used without object)

, pet·ri·fied, pet·ri·fy·ing.

1. to become petrified.

petrify

/ ˈpɛtrɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. 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
2. to make or become dull, unresponsive, insensitive, etc; deaden
3. tr; often passive to stun or daze with horror, fear, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈpetriˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• pet·ri·fi·a·ble adjective
• pe·trif·i·cant [pi-, trif, -i-k, uh, nt], adjective
• pet·ri·fi·er noun
• un·pet·ri·fy·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of petrify¹

From the Middle French word petrifier, dating back to 1585–95. See petri-, -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of petrify¹

C16: from French pétrifier, ultimately from Greek petra stone, rock

Example Sentences

One night in Monaco, Rachael says she woke up "petrified" to find Salah getting into her bed.

From BBC

A nine-year-old girl has told of the "petrifying" moment a man threatened to throw her in the canal in Edinburgh.

From BBC

But the department’s letter was sent days ago without public comment, and its reported warning that the lottery may be illegal isn’t likely to petrify scofflaws such as Musk and Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

"I know from conversations with people in government and in the intelligence services in Europe that they are petrified of the prospect of Trump coming back to office."

From Salon

It was one of the first times I’d covered an event on my own, and I was petrified, like a rabbit in the headlights standing in the scrum of reporters and flashing cameras.

From BBC

Related Words

• astonish
• astound
• daze
• dumbfound
• horrify
• startle
• stupefy
• terrify
• transfix