petrify

verb

ˈpe-trə-ˌfī How to pronounce petrify (audio)
Definition of petrifynext
as in to undermine
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of petrify The thought of Alvarez running, jumping, sliding or injuring himself — for a team still missing Tucker — petrifies Espada. — Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024 The body was supposedly petrified by sap, and the loggers found several gold coins dating to the late 1600s, as well as pieces of paper identifying the person as Pierre D’Artagnan. — Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2024 The West and Israel should be mindful over the apparent change in tempo of Iran’s uranium enrichment and be petrified of losing the wider war of non proliferation in a region unable to step back from the brink. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024 The government - the governor is petrified in Colorado. — CBS News, 22 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for petrify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petrify
  1. undermine
  2. weaken
  3. drain
  4. desiccate
  5. exhaust
  6. dehydrate
  7. enervate
  8. castrate
Verb
  • This approach would hide the true impact on taxpayers, undermine Senate rules against increasing deficits, and further harm the U.S. fiscal position.
    — Doug Criscitello, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Make no mistake—undermining our basic freedoms and pulling funding from schools will not address the real problem of antisemitism and will certainly not help students receive an education.
    — Maggie Siddiqi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of undermine
Verb
  • His health weakened by overwork and physical ailments, McCombs spent much of the last months of his life under medical care.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The doctor added that recovery would best continue away from the hospital, where exposure to viruses risks weakening the Holy Father's condition.
    — Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • Without Caitlin Clark draining 3-pointers from the logo, or an undefeated South Carolina trying to remain perfect, there is no nationally captivating figure that commands the audience.
    — Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The iOS app optimized can over 12 hours a day without draining the battery, TwinMind says.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of drain
Verb
  • The weather this year has also left abundant vegetation in the region that has desiccated in the warm, dry air.
    — Umair Irfan, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
  • Santa Anas are those desiccating winds that occur commonly in winter, blowing out of Nevada and Utah and into southwestern California.
    — Amy Graff, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Definition of desiccate
Verb
  • Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.
    — Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The victim must be at least 65 years old, may be in danger due to health or suspicious reasons and the investigating agency has exhausted all its resources.
    — Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of exhaust
Verb
  • When dehydrated, your body holds onto more water, which can increase water retention and swelling.
    — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Alcohol-based, scented formulations can also dehydrate and irritate skin.
    — Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of dehydrate
Verb
  • This relationship, when successful, tends to enervate mediating institutions that thwart the immediate desires of both the populist leader and the public.
    — Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 28 Feb. 2021
  • The saving grace of this often enervating thriller is that Doscher grants time for his actors to build character and intimacy, and both Pinto and Odom offer warm, affectingly natural performances as two people facing the end of their world.
    — Teo Bugbee, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2020
Definition of enervate
Verb
  • As MacCulloch writes, impoverished parents might arrange for their son to be castrated to better his prospects for religious life and education.
    — S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
  • In an unnamed city, a man has been murdered and castrated, his body left in an alley.
    — Katie Kitamura, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of castrate

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Cite this Entry

“Petrify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petrify. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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