Is there a word to describe the feeling of being transfixed out of horror?
Could not find an existing duplicate question, but this may be due to not know how to describe the word/feeling!
For example, given the following sentence:
Francis could not look away from the blood-drenched vampire. The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs were X
And X is specifically drawing upon the fact that the appearance is horrifying, horrible, scary, etc.
Similar words that come to mind but are generic in their motivation: hypnotic, transfixing
First question on this Stack so apologies if poor formatting!
single-word-requests emotions
New contributor
add a comment |
Could not find an existing duplicate question, but this may be due to not know how to describe the word/feeling!
For example, given the following sentence:
Francis could not look away from the blood-drenched vampire. The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs were X
And X is specifically drawing upon the fact that the appearance is horrifying, horrible, scary, etc.
Similar words that come to mind but are generic in their motivation: hypnotic, transfixing
First question on this Stack so apologies if poor formatting!
single-word-requests emotions
New contributor
add a comment |
Could not find an existing duplicate question, but this may be due to not know how to describe the word/feeling!
For example, given the following sentence:
Francis could not look away from the blood-drenched vampire. The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs were X
And X is specifically drawing upon the fact that the appearance is horrifying, horrible, scary, etc.
Similar words that come to mind but are generic in their motivation: hypnotic, transfixing
First question on this Stack so apologies if poor formatting!
single-word-requests emotions
New contributor
Could not find an existing duplicate question, but this may be due to not know how to describe the word/feeling!
For example, given the following sentence:
Francis could not look away from the blood-drenched vampire. The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs were X
And X is specifically drawing upon the fact that the appearance is horrifying, horrible, scary, etc.
Similar words that come to mind but are generic in their motivation: hypnotic, transfixing
First question on this Stack so apologies if poor formatting!
single-word-requests emotions
single-word-requests emotions
New contributor
New contributor
edited 2 hours ago
JJJ
6,21392646
6,21392646
New contributor
asked 2 hours ago
Reputable MisnomerReputable Misnomer
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According to the Oxford online dictionary the verb to petrify means by its primary definition
Change (organic matter) into a stony substance by encrusting or replacing it with a calcareous, siliceous, or other mineral deposit.
However it has the secondary, originally metaphorical, definition of
Make (someone) so frightened that they are unable to move
The the present paticiple of to petrify is petrifying which would fit well into your sentence.
Ah, if only there was a mix between @Ibf's 'stunned' suggestion and this! I think I am going to mark your answer as correct as it did answer my question. Thank you so much!
– Reputable Misnomer
47 mins ago
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As in:
The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs stunned him.
stunned TFD
- to shock or overwhelm
- to surprise or astound
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2 Answers
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According to the Oxford online dictionary the verb to petrify means by its primary definition
Change (organic matter) into a stony substance by encrusting or replacing it with a calcareous, siliceous, or other mineral deposit.
However it has the secondary, originally metaphorical, definition of
Make (someone) so frightened that they are unable to move
The the present paticiple of to petrify is petrifying which would fit well into your sentence.
Ah, if only there was a mix between @Ibf's 'stunned' suggestion and this! I think I am going to mark your answer as correct as it did answer my question. Thank you so much!
– Reputable Misnomer
47 mins ago
add a comment |
According to the Oxford online dictionary the verb to petrify means by its primary definition
Change (organic matter) into a stony substance by encrusting or replacing it with a calcareous, siliceous, or other mineral deposit.
However it has the secondary, originally metaphorical, definition of
Make (someone) so frightened that they are unable to move
The the present paticiple of to petrify is petrifying which would fit well into your sentence.
Ah, if only there was a mix between @Ibf's 'stunned' suggestion and this! I think I am going to mark your answer as correct as it did answer my question. Thank you so much!
– Reputable Misnomer
47 mins ago
add a comment |
According to the Oxford online dictionary the verb to petrify means by its primary definition
Change (organic matter) into a stony substance by encrusting or replacing it with a calcareous, siliceous, or other mineral deposit.
However it has the secondary, originally metaphorical, definition of
Make (someone) so frightened that they are unable to move
The the present paticiple of to petrify is petrifying which would fit well into your sentence.
According to the Oxford online dictionary the verb to petrify means by its primary definition
Change (organic matter) into a stony substance by encrusting or replacing it with a calcareous, siliceous, or other mineral deposit.
However it has the secondary, originally metaphorical, definition of
Make (someone) so frightened that they are unable to move
The the present paticiple of to petrify is petrifying which would fit well into your sentence.
answered 2 hours ago
BoldBenBoldBen
6,065818
6,065818
Ah, if only there was a mix between @Ibf's 'stunned' suggestion and this! I think I am going to mark your answer as correct as it did answer my question. Thank you so much!
– Reputable Misnomer
47 mins ago
add a comment |
Ah, if only there was a mix between @Ibf's 'stunned' suggestion and this! I think I am going to mark your answer as correct as it did answer my question. Thank you so much!
– Reputable Misnomer
47 mins ago
Ah, if only there was a mix between @Ibf's 'stunned' suggestion and this! I think I am going to mark your answer as correct as it did answer my question. Thank you so much!
– Reputable Misnomer
47 mins ago
Ah, if only there was a mix between @Ibf's 'stunned' suggestion and this! I think I am going to mark your answer as correct as it did answer my question. Thank you so much!
– Reputable Misnomer
47 mins ago
add a comment |
As in:
The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs stunned him.
stunned TFD
- to shock or overwhelm
- to surprise or astound
add a comment |
As in:
The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs stunned him.
stunned TFD
- to shock or overwhelm
- to surprise or astound
add a comment |
As in:
The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs stunned him.
stunned TFD
- to shock or overwhelm
- to surprise or astound
As in:
The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs stunned him.
stunned TFD
- to shock or overwhelm
- to surprise or astound
answered 2 hours ago
lbflbf
22.2k22575
22.2k22575
add a comment |
add a comment |
Reputable Misnomer is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Reputable Misnomer is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Reputable Misnomer is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Reputable Misnomer is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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