petrified
adjective
pet·ri·fied
ˈpe-trə-ˌfīd 
1
: converted into stone through a slow process of mineralization
petrified wood
a petrified forest
And at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History's annual dinosaur ball, about 800 patrons in black tie or gown waltz among the petrified remains of the once-glorious creatures.—
Sheldon Teitelbaum
Sheldon Teitelbaum2
: overwhelmingly fearful
was petrified of speaking in public
: rendered motionless or unable to act by fear
Charlie climbed onto the bed and tried to calm the three old people who were still petrified with fear. "Please don't be frightened," he said. "It's quite safe. And we're going to the most wonderful place in the world!"—Roald Dahl
Roald DahlWinky's petrified brown eyes were visible through her fingers. She seemed too appalled to speak.—J. K. Rowling
J. K. RowlingExamples of petrified in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Close by is the striking petrified waterfall Hierve el Agua.
—Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Like his late father’s homing pigeons who keep returning to their shabby rooftop coop — a holding-pattern image that echoes the ennui of Terry Malloy on a very different waterfront — he’s imprisoned by the limits of his knowledge, the petrified loop of his experience.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
The museum building itself is also art visitors should notice — there are fossils, petrified wood and arrowheads in the brick walls.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2025
Nodar, appearing petrified, quickly ran behind the car for cover.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petrified
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Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Like his late father’s homing pigeons who keep returning to their shabby rooftop coop — a holding-pattern image that echoes the ennui of Terry Malloy on a very different waterfront — he’s imprisoned by the limits of his knowledge, the petrified loop of his experience.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
The museum building itself is also art visitors should notice — there are fossils, petrified wood and arrowheads in the brick walls.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2025
Nodar, appearing petrified, quickly ran behind the car for cover.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petrified
Cite this Entry
“Petrified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petrified. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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