What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
petrify
Example
The loud explosion petrified the entire neighborhood. [petrified: past tense]
Example
She was petrified with fear when she saw the snake. [petrified: adjective]
terrify
Example
The horror movie terrified me so much that I couldn't sleep. [terrified: past tense]
Example
The thought of losing her child terrified her. [terrified: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Terrify is more commonly used than petrify in everyday language. Terrify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while petrify is less common and has a more formal connotation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between petrify and terrify?
Petrify is typically associated with a more formal tone, while terrify is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
