petrifying

• Décrit quelque chose qui provoque une peur ou une terreur intense, au point de paralyser ou de figer la personne sur place.

Describes something that causes extreme fear or terror, making someone feel paralyzed or unable to move.

1. Paralyzing with terrorB2informal

   Causing such extreme fear that one is unable to move or act.

   Pétrifiant (de terreur)

   • The horror movie was so petrifying that she couldn't sleep.
   • He had a petrifying experience when he got lost in the dark forest.
   • The sudden loud noise was petrifying for the small child.

   Synonymesalarmingappallingchillingdismayingfrighteninghorrifyingintimidatingterrifyingunnerving

   Antonymescalmingcomfortingreassuring

• Verbe signifiant soit causer chez quelqu'un une paralysie par la peur ou l'effroi, soit transformer une matière organique en pierre par un processus naturel.

A verb meaning to cause someone to become paralyzed with fear, or to turn organic material into stone through a natural process.

1. Cause to become stonelike or stiffB2formal

   To make someone or something become rigid, motionless, or dazed, often due to fear or shock.

   Pétrifier

   • The sudden noise petrified the child, who stood frozen in place.
   • She was petrified with fear when she saw the snake.
   • The shocking news petrified the entire audience.

   Synonymesfreezeimmobilizeparalyzestunstupefytransfix

   Antonymesanimateenlivenloosenunfreeze

2. Change into stoneC1formal

   To turn organic matter into stone or a stony substance through a natural process.

   pétrifier (sens propre)

   • Over millions of years, the fallen trees were petrified into stone.
   • The petrified wood in the desert is a popular tourist attraction.
   • Scientists study how minerals petrify ancient bones.

   Synonymescalcifyfossilizelapidifymineralize

3. Make rigid and conventionalC2formal

   To cause something to become fixed, rigid, or set into a conventional pattern, losing flexibility or originality.

   figer dans la convention

   • The strict rules petrified the creative process in the company.
   • Over time, the traditions became petrified and resistant to change.
   • The bureaucracy petrified the organization, making innovation impossible.

   Synonymescongealconventionalizefossilizehardenossifyrigidifysetsolidifystereotypestiffen

   Antonymesanimateenlivenrevitalize