petrifies
Freezes with fear
Petrifies means turns to stone.
In geology, organic matter petrifies when minerals gradually replace its structure over millennia: petrified wood.
The far more common use is figurative—to petrify someone is to paralyze them with fear: The thought of public speaking petrifies me.
What petrifies renders motionless, frozen in place like stone.
Deposits inorgite compounds
- calcifiesDeposits calcium, hardens
- hardensBecomes firm or solid
- preservesCooked fruit in sugar
- encasesSurrounds on all sides
crystallizes · solidifies · fossilization · amber · sediment · remains · prehistoric · geological
Extreme fear or disgust
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- frightSudden intense fear
alarm · shock · apprehension · trepidation · phobia · anxiety · nightmare · spine-chilling
mineralizes
Deposits inorgite compounds
encases · crystallizes · solidifies · fossilization · amber · sediment · remains · prehistoric · geological · ancient
horror
Extreme fear or disgust
fright · alarm · shock · apprehension · trepidation · phobia · anxiety · nightmare · spine-chilling · blood-curdling
freezes
Hardens from cold
- paralyzesCauses total inability to move
- stiffensBecomes less pliable
- rootsUnderground nutrient absorbers
halts · transfixes · stuns · rivets · locks · grips · arrests · numbs · stupefies · incapacitates
Medusa
Stone-gazing mythic creature
- gorgonSnake-haired petrifying she-beast
- basiliskReptile that kills by looking
- curseInvoked harm through words
mythological · marble · granite · statue · sculpture · gargoyle · monolith · effigy · transmutes · transforms
petrifiescalms
Reduces agitation
soothes · reassures · comforts · relaxes · tranquilizes
petrifiesmobilizes
Activates for action
galvanizes · energizes · animates · activates · invigorates
- petrified woodMineralized tree fossils
- petrified forestsTrees mineralized over millennia