petrify
1 of 1verb/ˈpɛt.rə.ˌfaɪ/
Forms:petrifies,petrifying,petrified,petrified
1
to make someone so frightened that they cannot move or speak
transitive- The sudden appearance of the ghostly figure in the dark forest petrified the hikers.
- The loud roar of the approaching bear petrified the campers, freezing them in place.
- The terrifying scream in the haunted house petrified the visitors, rendering them speechless.
- The masked intruder's threatening gestures petrified the homeowner, leaving them unable to react.
- The eerie silence in the abandoned asylum petrified the explorers, paralyzing them with fear.
2
to change organic material into stone or a stone-like substance
transitive- Over millennia, the tree trunk was petrified, preserving its details in rock form.
- Tourists flocked to see the petrified remains of ancient plants in the national park.
- Fossilization often petrifies bones, preserving them for study.
- The roots of the tree were slowly petrified by underground minerals.
- Over time, the bones of the dinosaur were petrified and preserved in the sediment.
Synonyms:
3
to make something immobile, inactive, or unable to function
transitive- Tradition can sometimes petrify a society, preventing it from embracing new ideas.
- Fear of change petrified the company's approach, making it resistant to innovation.
- Fear of failure can petrify someone's ambition.
- The endless routine petrified his creativity over the years.
- The oppressive atmosphere in the room petrified any attempts at discussion.