petrifies

verb

Definition of petrifiesnext
present tense third-person singular of petrify
as in undermines
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality groupthink and peer pressure have so petrified the thinking of the company's top brass that they haven't produced an innovative product in years

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for petrifies
  1. undermines
  2. weakens
  3. exhausts
Verb
  • Trying to stay transparent and ensure alignment can unintentionally flood teams with excessive details, which undermines their focus and productivity.
    Antony Robinson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Patients can’t continue absorbing these unnecessary costs, and physicians like me are increasingly frustrated by how hospital consolidation undermines our ability to provide affordable, high-quality care.
    Lisa Abrams, Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of undermines
Verb
  • Everyone who fell severely ill from the mysterious disease was also severely malnourished, which weakens immunity.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The legislation also weakens the authority of the governor to fill vacancies on the state court of appeals and the state Supreme Court, while prohibiting the attorney general from taking legal positions contrary to the Legislature’s.
    Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • The charge against Baldwin was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can’t be brought back to court after the prosecution exhausts its appeals.
    Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 26 Nov. 2024
  • This is essential as Ukraine exhausts its Soviet-era stocks and transitions to more advanced NATO weapons.
    Dan Altman, Foreign Affairs, 12 July 2022
Definition of exhausts
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near petrifies

petrified

petrifies

petrify

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Cite this Entry

“Petrifies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petrifies. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on petrifies

Nglish: Translation of petrifies for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of petrifies for Arabic Speakers

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