1. to make or become extremely frightened; to terrify completely
2. to change organic matter into stone or a stony substance through mineralization
Usage: geological; scientific

Examples

• The thought of speaking in public petrifies her.
• The horror movie petrifies young children.
• Stage fright petrifies even experienced actors.
• The ancient forest slowly petrifies over millions of years.
• Volcanic ash petrifies organic material buried beneath it.
• The discovery of petrified wood amazes visitors to the national park.