petrificar

[pe-tri-fi-KAR]

verb

to petrify

1. to convert into stone or a stone-like substance through geological processes

The ancient wood was petrified over millions of years.

A madeira antiga foi petrificada ao longo de milhões de anos.

2. to cause extreme fear; to terrify or paralyze with fear

The horror movie petrified the audience.

O filme de horror petrificou o público.

3. to make someone unable to move or act due to shock or fear

She was petrified by the unexpected news.

Ela foi petrificada pela notícia inesperada.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

petrificar

Standard usage in geological and emotional contexts

Rio de Janeiro

petrificar

Common in both formal and informal speech

São Paulo

petrificar

Preferred in technical and scientific contexts

Portugal

petrificar

Standard usage; may use 'fossilizar' for geological context

ficar petrificado de medo - to be scared stiff

petrificar alguém com um olhar - to stop someone in their tracks with a look

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