terrify

Terrify, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Terrified; p. pr. & vb. n. Terrifying.]

Etymology: [L. terrere to frighten + -fy: cf. F. terrifier, L. terrificare. See Terrific, and -fy.]

1. To make terrible. [Obs.] If the law, instead of aggravating and terrifying sin, shall give out license, it foils itself. Milton.

2. To alarm or shock with fear; to frighten. When ye shall hear of wars . . . be not terrified. Luke xxi. 9.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for terrify; he lists it under frighten.

Where he writes about it:

To scare is to cause sudden, unnerving fear; to terrify is to awaken fear that is overwhelming. — from frighten

none given