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Word of the Day Tuesday, June 9, 2026

petrify

/ˈpɛtrɪfaɪ/ verb · British & US
Valid in UKValid in US
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What does petrify mean?

verb

to cause someone or something to become extremely frightened or shocked, so that they are unable to move or speak. to preserve something, especially a fossil, by replacing the original material with stone.

Example

"The horror movie petrified the audience, leaving them frozen in their seats."

Definition generated by AI and curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Synonyms for petrify

Antonyms of petrify

Rhymes with petrify

Etymologically related