Is there a word to describe the feeling of being transfixed out of horror? The Next CEO of Stack OverflowWord for feeling of being used by someoneIs there a word to represent the feeling on never being somewhere before?Word describing the feeling of being lazy about doing somethingA word evoking the feeling of being “part” of a work of fictionWord for feeling amused by someone/people being … stupid?In search of an English word/phrase that describes the feeling when one feels stress from knowing important information that others do notIs there a generic term for Lovecraftian horror that doesn't use the words “cosmic” or “horror”?Word or phrase to describe feeling of mental clarity & contentment with things being in order or organisedHow would you describe the feeling of feeling like being treated unfairly?Is there a word for the feeling of having messed up?
Traveling with my 5 year old daughter (as the father) without the mother from Germany to Mexico
How to compactly explain secondary and tertiary characters without resorting to stereotypes?
Why can't we say "I have been having a dog"?
Is it "common practice in Fourier transform spectroscopy to multiply the measured interferogram by an apodizing function"? If so, why?
Is there a rule of thumb for determining the amount one should accept for a settlement offer?
Arrows in tikz Markov chain diagram overlap
Could a dragon use hot air to help it take off?
Shortening a title without changing its meaning
Planeswalker Ability and Death Timing
What does this strange code stamp on my passport mean?
Find the majority element, which appears more than half the time
How to implement Comparable so it is consistent with identity-equality
What steps are necessary to read a Modern SSD in Medieval Europe?
Calculate the Mean mean of two numbers
Early programmable calculators with RS-232
Is it reasonable to ask other researchers to send me their previous grant applications?
What difference does it make matching a word with/without a trailing whitespace?
Can Sri Krishna be called 'a person'?
How can a day be of 24 hours?
What is the difference between 'contrib' and 'non-free' packages repositories?
Compensation for working overtime on Saturdays
Is it correct to say moon starry nights?
How can I prove that a state of equilibrium is unstable?
That's an odd coin - I wonder why
Is there a word to describe the feeling of being transfixed out of horror?
The Next CEO of Stack OverflowWord for feeling of being used by someoneIs there a word to represent the feeling on never being somewhere before?Word describing the feeling of being lazy about doing somethingA word evoking the feeling of being “part” of a work of fictionWord for feeling amused by someone/people being … stupid?In search of an English word/phrase that describes the feeling when one feels stress from knowing important information that others do notIs there a generic term for Lovecraftian horror that doesn't use the words “cosmic” or “horror”?Word or phrase to describe feeling of mental clarity & contentment with things being in order or organisedHow would you describe the feeling of feeling like being treated unfairly?Is there a word for the feeling of having messed up?
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
edited Mar 24 at 23:31
JJJ
6,22392646
asked Mar 24 at 23:10
Reputable MisnomerReputable Misnomer
1434
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
edited Mar 24 at 23:31
JJJ
6,22392646
asked Mar 24 at 23:10
Reputable MisnomerReputable Misnomer
1434
1
Your own suggestion 'transfixed' (or transfixing) is as good as the others. A thesaurus lookup on transfix gives a lot more. None of them are exactly 'transfix' and 'horror', but many are related to fear. 'scared stiff' is exactly it, but not a present participle which is the slot you gave.
– Mitch
Mar 25 at 14:43
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
edited Mar 24 at 23:31
JJJ
6,22392646
asked Mar 24 at 23:10
Reputable MisnomerReputable Misnomer
1434
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
edited Mar 24 at 23:31
JJJ
6,22392646
asked Mar 24 at 23:10
Reputable MisnomerReputable Misnomer
1434
edited Mar 24 at 23:31
JJJ
6,22392646
asked Mar 24 at 23:10
Reputable MisnomerReputable Misnomer
1434
edited Mar 24 at 23:31
JJJ
6,22392646
edited Mar 24 at 23:31
JJJ
6,22392646
edited Mar 24 at 23:31
JJJ
6,22392646
6,22392646
asked Mar 24 at 23:10
Reputable MisnomerReputable Misnomer
1434
asked Mar 24 at 23:10
Reputable MisnomerReputable Misnomer
1434
asked Mar 24 at 23:10
Reputable MisnomerReputable Misnomer
1434
1434
1
Your own suggestion 'transfixed' (or transfixing) is as good as the others. A thesaurus lookup on transfix gives a lot more. None of them are exactly 'transfix' and 'horror', but many are related to fear. 'scared stiff' is exactly it, but not a present participle which is the slot you gave.
– Mitch
Mar 25 at 14:43
add a comment |
1
Your own suggestion 'transfixed' (or transfixing) is as good as the others. A thesaurus lookup on transfix gives a lot more. None of them are exactly 'transfix' and 'horror', but many are related to fear. 'scared stiff' is exactly it, but not a present participle which is the slot you gave.
– Mitch
Mar 25 at 14:43
1
1
Your own suggestion 'transfixed' (or transfixing) is as good as the others. A thesaurus lookup on transfix gives a lot more. None of them are exactly 'transfix' and 'horror', but many are related to fear. 'scared stiff' is exactly it, but not a present participle which is the slot you gave.
– Mitch
Mar 25 at 14:43
Your own suggestion 'transfixed' (or transfixing) is as good as the others. A thesaurus lookup on transfix gives a lot more. None of them are exactly 'transfix' and 'horror', but many are related to fear. 'scared stiff' is exactly it, but not a present participle which is the slot you gave.
– Mitch
Mar 25 at 14:43
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
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 Mar 24 at 23:31
BoldBenBoldBen
6,283919
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
Mar 25 at 0:50
2
True, but quite the same as transfixed, which fits the context.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
2
@Kris - Hmm, you can definitely be transfixed by the beauty of something, I'm not sure I've ever heard of someone being petrified by beauty, other than in the sense of being too scared to talk to them.
– AndyT
Mar 25 at 12:07
1
@kris That is an alternative but the ODO definition of transfix includes transfixtion with horror, wonder, or astonishment whereas the dictionary definition of petrify includes only petrification by fear in the metaphorical sense.
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 21:49
add a comment |
As in:
The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs stunned him.
stunned TFD
- to shock or overwhelm
- to surprise or astound
answered Mar 24 at 23:34
lbflbf
22.2k22575
See my comment at BoldBen.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
add a comment |
Frozen also carries the sense of "blood running cold with fear"
answered Mar 25 at 12:15
rharargrhararg
211
3
Please provide a source for your answer.
– JJJ
Mar 25 at 13:49
Hi rhararg, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a relevant published definition of frozen (linked to the source) and say why it suits the context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
Mar 29 at 21:31
add a comment |
I don't have an issue with the correct answer, but I don't think "petrifying" actually scans very well. I'm surprised nobody mentioned:
Mesmerising
Capturing one's complete attention as if by magic.
‘a mesmerizing stare’
answered Mar 25 at 15:24
Richard HansellRichard Hansell
1112
1
Mesmerising doesn't capture the element of horror, but to be fair, neither do the OP's examples along that vein.
– Théophile
Mar 25 at 16:51
add a comment |
You could use horror-struck (or horror-stricken). The word corresponds exactly to the question in the title (i.e., "the feeling of being transfixed from horror"), although your example sentence is slightly different in that it asks for a word that describes the source of horror.
So although we couldn't say that the "bload-soaked clothes were horror-striking", we could say that "Francis was horror-struck by the bload-soaked clothes".
horror-struck
horrified so as to be overwhelmed or incapacitated
answered Mar 25 at 16:49
ThéophileThéophile
73349
add a comment |
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f491150%2fis-there-a-word-to-describe-the-feeling-of-being-transfixed-out-of-horror%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
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 Mar 24 at 23:31
BoldBenBoldBen
6,283919
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
Mar 25 at 0:50
2
True, but quite the same as transfixed, which fits the context.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
2
@Kris - Hmm, you can definitely be transfixed by the beauty of something, I'm not sure I've ever heard of someone being petrified by beauty, other than in the sense of being too scared to talk to them.
– AndyT
Mar 25 at 12:07
1
@kris That is an alternative but the ODO definition of transfix includes transfixtion with horror, wonder, or astonishment whereas the dictionary definition of petrify includes only petrification by fear in the metaphorical sense.
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 21:49
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.
answered Mar 24 at 23:31
BoldBenBoldBen
6,283919
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
Mar 25 at 0:50
2
True, but quite the same as transfixed, which fits the context.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
2
@Kris - Hmm, you can definitely be transfixed by the beauty of something, I'm not sure I've ever heard of someone being petrified by beauty, other than in the sense of being too scared to talk to them.
– AndyT
Mar 25 at 12:07
1
@kris That is an alternative but the ODO definition of transfix includes transfixtion with horror, wonder, or astonishment whereas the dictionary definition of petrify includes only petrification by fear in the metaphorical sense.
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 21:49
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.
answered Mar 24 at 23:31
BoldBenBoldBen
6,283919
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 Mar 24 at 23:31
BoldBenBoldBen
6,283919
answered Mar 24 at 23:31
BoldBenBoldBen
6,283919
answered Mar 24 at 23:31
BoldBenBoldBen
6,283919
answered Mar 24 at 23:31
BoldBenBoldBen
6,283919
6,283919
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
Mar 25 at 0:50
2
True, but quite the same as transfixed, which fits the context.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
2
@Kris - Hmm, you can definitely be transfixed by the beauty of something, I'm not sure I've ever heard of someone being petrified by beauty, other than in the sense of being too scared to talk to them.
– AndyT
Mar 25 at 12:07
1
@kris That is an alternative but the ODO definition of transfix includes transfixtion with horror, wonder, or astonishment whereas the dictionary definition of petrify includes only petrification by fear in the metaphorical sense.
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 21:49
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
Mar 25 at 0:50
2
True, but quite the same as transfixed, which fits the context.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
2
@Kris - Hmm, you can definitely be transfixed by the beauty of something, I'm not sure I've ever heard of someone being petrified by beauty, other than in the sense of being too scared to talk to them.
– AndyT
Mar 25 at 12:07
1
@kris That is an alternative but the ODO definition of transfix includes transfixtion with horror, wonder, or astonishment whereas the dictionary definition of petrify includes only petrification by fear in the metaphorical sense.
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 21:49
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
Mar 25 at 0:50
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
Mar 25 at 0:50
2
2
True, but quite the same as transfixed, which fits the context.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
True, but quite the same as transfixed, which fits the context.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
2
2
@Kris - Hmm, you can definitely be transfixed by the beauty of something, I'm not sure I've ever heard of someone being petrified by beauty, other than in the sense of being too scared to talk to them.
– AndyT
Mar 25 at 12:07
@Kris - Hmm, you can definitely be transfixed by the beauty of something, I'm not sure I've ever heard of someone being petrified by beauty, other than in the sense of being too scared to talk to them.
– AndyT
Mar 25 at 12:07
1
1
@kris That is an alternative but the ODO definition of transfix includes transfixtion with horror, wonder, or astonishment whereas the dictionary definition of petrify includes only petrification by fear in the metaphorical sense.
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 21:49
@kris That is an alternative but the ODO definition of transfix includes transfixtion with horror, wonder, or astonishment whereas the dictionary definition of petrify includes only petrification by fear in the metaphorical sense.
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 21:49
add a comment |
As in:
The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs stunned him.
stunned TFD
- to shock or overwhelm
- to surprise or astound
answered Mar 24 at 23:34
lbflbf
22.2k22575
See my comment at BoldBen.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
add a comment |
As in:
The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs stunned him.
stunned TFD
- to shock or overwhelm
- to surprise or astound
answered Mar 24 at 23:34
lbflbf
22.2k22575
See my comment at BoldBen.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
add a comment |
As in:
The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs stunned him.
stunned TFD
- to shock or overwhelm
- to surprise or astound
answered Mar 24 at 23:34
lbflbf
22.2k22575
As in:
The blood-soaked clothes and shimmering fangs stunned him.
stunned TFD
- to shock or overwhelm
- to surprise or astound
answered Mar 24 at 23:34
lbflbf
22.2k22575
answered Mar 24 at 23:34
lbflbf
22.2k22575
answered Mar 24 at 23:34
lbflbf
22.2k22575
answered Mar 24 at 23:34
lbflbf
22.2k22575
22.2k22575
See my comment at BoldBen.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
add a comment |
See my comment at BoldBen.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
See my comment at BoldBen.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
See my comment at BoldBen.
– Kris
Mar 25 at 6:43
add a comment |
Frozen also carries the sense of "blood running cold with fear"
answered Mar 25 at 12:15
rharargrhararg
211
3
Please provide a source for your answer.
– JJJ
Mar 25 at 13:49
Hi rhararg, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a relevant published definition of frozen (linked to the source) and say why it suits the context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
Mar 29 at 21:31
add a comment |
Frozen also carries the sense of "blood running cold with fear"
answered Mar 25 at 12:15
rharargrhararg
211
3
Please provide a source for your answer.
– JJJ
Mar 25 at 13:49
Hi rhararg, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a relevant published definition of frozen (linked to the source) and say why it suits the context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
Mar 29 at 21:31
add a comment |
Frozen also carries the sense of "blood running cold with fear"
answered Mar 25 at 12:15
rharargrhararg
211
Frozen also carries the sense of "blood running cold with fear"
answered Mar 25 at 12:15
rharargrhararg
211
answered Mar 25 at 12:15
rharargrhararg
211
answered Mar 25 at 12:15
rharargrhararg
211
answered Mar 25 at 12:15
rharargrhararg
211
211
3
Please provide a source for your answer.
– JJJ
Mar 25 at 13:49
Hi rhararg, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a relevant published definition of frozen (linked to the source) and say why it suits the context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
Mar 29 at 21:31
add a comment |
3
Please provide a source for your answer.
– JJJ
Mar 25 at 13:49
Hi rhararg, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a relevant published definition of frozen (linked to the source) and say why it suits the context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
Mar 29 at 21:31
3
3
Please provide a source for your answer.
– JJJ
Mar 25 at 13:49
Please provide a source for your answer.
– JJJ
Mar 25 at 13:49
Hi rhararg, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a relevant published definition of frozen (linked to the source) and say why it suits the context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
Mar 29 at 21:31
Hi rhararg, welcome to EL&U. This isn't a bad start, but it's too short: the system has flagged it as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. It's best if you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g., add a relevant published definition of frozen (linked to the source) and say why it suits the context. For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour. :-)
– Chappo
Mar 29 at 21:31
add a comment |
I don't have an issue with the correct answer, but I don't think "petrifying" actually scans very well. I'm surprised nobody mentioned:
Mesmerising
Capturing one's complete attention as if by magic.
‘a mesmerizing stare’
answered Mar 25 at 15:24
Richard HansellRichard Hansell
1112
1
Mesmerising doesn't capture the element of horror, but to be fair, neither do the OP's examples along that vein.
– Théophile
Mar 25 at 16:51
add a comment |
I don't have an issue with the correct answer, but I don't think "petrifying" actually scans very well. I'm surprised nobody mentioned:
Mesmerising
Capturing one's complete attention as if by magic.
‘a mesmerizing stare’
answered Mar 25 at 15:24
Richard HansellRichard Hansell
1112
1
Mesmerising doesn't capture the element of horror, but to be fair, neither do the OP's examples along that vein.
– Théophile
Mar 25 at 16:51
add a comment |
I don't have an issue with the correct answer, but I don't think "petrifying" actually scans very well. I'm surprised nobody mentioned:
Mesmerising
Capturing one's complete attention as if by magic.
‘a mesmerizing stare’
answered Mar 25 at 15:24
Richard HansellRichard Hansell
1112
I don't have an issue with the correct answer, but I don't think "petrifying" actually scans very well. I'm surprised nobody mentioned:
Mesmerising
Capturing one's complete attention as if by magic.
‘a mesmerizing stare’
answered Mar 25 at 15:24
Richard HansellRichard Hansell
1112
answered Mar 25 at 15:24
Richard HansellRichard Hansell
1112
answered Mar 25 at 15:24
Richard HansellRichard Hansell
1112
answered Mar 25 at 15:24
Richard HansellRichard Hansell
1112
1112
1
Mesmerising doesn't capture the element of horror, but to be fair, neither do the OP's examples along that vein.
– Théophile
Mar 25 at 16:51
add a comment |
1
Mesmerising doesn't capture the element of horror, but to be fair, neither do the OP's examples along that vein.
– Théophile
Mar 25 at 16:51
1
1
Mesmerising doesn't capture the element of horror, but to be fair, neither do the OP's examples along that vein.
– Théophile
Mar 25 at 16:51
Mesmerising doesn't capture the element of horror, but to be fair, neither do the OP's examples along that vein.
– Théophile
Mar 25 at 16:51
add a comment |
You could use horror-struck (or horror-stricken). The word corresponds exactly to the question in the title (i.e., "the feeling of being transfixed from horror"), although your example sentence is slightly different in that it asks for a word that describes the source of horror.
So although we couldn't say that the "bload-soaked clothes were horror-striking", we could say that "Francis was horror-struck by the bload-soaked clothes".
horror-struck
horrified so as to be overwhelmed or incapacitated
answered Mar 25 at 16:49
ThéophileThéophile
73349
add a comment |
You could use horror-struck (or horror-stricken). The word corresponds exactly to the question in the title (i.e., "the feeling of being transfixed from horror"), although your example sentence is slightly different in that it asks for a word that describes the source of horror.
So although we couldn't say that the "bload-soaked clothes were horror-striking", we could say that "Francis was horror-struck by the bload-soaked clothes".
horror-struck
horrified so as to be overwhelmed or incapacitated
answered Mar 25 at 16:49
ThéophileThéophile
73349
add a comment |
You could use horror-struck (or horror-stricken). The word corresponds exactly to the question in the title (i.e., "the feeling of being transfixed from horror"), although your example sentence is slightly different in that it asks for a word that describes the source of horror.
So although we couldn't say that the "bload-soaked clothes were horror-striking", we could say that "Francis was horror-struck by the bload-soaked clothes".
horror-struck
horrified so as to be overwhelmed or incapacitated
answered Mar 25 at 16:49
ThéophileThéophile
73349
You could use horror-struck (or horror-stricken). The word corresponds exactly to the question in the title (i.e., "the feeling of being transfixed from horror"), although your example sentence is slightly different in that it asks for a word that describes the source of horror.
So although we couldn't say that the "bload-soaked clothes were horror-striking", we could say that "Francis was horror-struck by the bload-soaked clothes".
horror-struck
horrified so as to be overwhelmed or incapacitated
answered Mar 25 at 16:49
ThéophileThéophile
73349
answered Mar 25 at 16:49
ThéophileThéophile
73349
answered Mar 25 at 16:49
ThéophileThéophile
73349
answered Mar 25 at 16:49
ThéophileThéophile
73349
73349
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f491150%2fis-there-a-word-to-describe-the-feeling-of-being-transfixed-out-of-horror%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
1
Your own suggestion 'transfixed' (or transfixing) is as good as the others. A thesaurus lookup on transfix gives a lot more. None of them are exactly 'transfix' and 'horror', but many are related to fear. 'scared stiff' is exactly it, but not a present participle which is the slot you gave.
– Mitch
Mar 25 at 14:43