- present participle of petrify.
petrifying
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Both Rooney and Kate are keenly aware of how petrifying it can be to be perceived, and how galvanizing it can be as well, and they bring both senses to their shared performance.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026
“This was the most petrifying part, not being able to be there to shield your kids and know if they were safe,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 15, 2025
A couple whose baby suffered seizures and damage to his brain during labour have described their time in Edinburgh's maternity unit as "petrifying".
From BBC ● Jan. 20, 2025
After proving that I would be a viable “Survivor” contestant, we went in search of the truly petrifying item on our list.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 14, 2023
Doc Daneeka cried shrilly with a surging, petrifying sensation of some on- rushing unavoidable disaster.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
