Terror-stricken for Dummies

Terror-stricken is a word we use to describe a feeling of extreme fear or terror. It's like when something happens that scares you so much that you feel frozen in fear. Imagine a horror movie where the protagonist is being chased by a terrifying monster. In that moment, they might feel terror-stricken because their whole body is filled with unimaginable fear and they can't think clearly or move. It's as if their mind is overwhelmed by the feeling of terror, making it difficult to focus on anything else.

Now, let's break down the word to better understand its meaning. The word "terror" refers to a state of extreme fear or dread. It's not just regular fear, like being scared of something small, but a much stronger and intense emotion. Stricken, on the other hand, means being strongly affected by something, like a disease or an event. So when we put these two words together, "terror-stricken" means being completely overwhelmed by fear, to the point where it almost feels paralyzing.

For example, let's imagine you're walking alone in a dark forest and suddenly you hear a loud roar, and you see a pair of glowing eyes staring at you from the shadows. In that moment, you might feel terror-stricken because the fear inside you is so intense that you can't move or think clearly. The sight and sound of something so terrifying have completely taken over your emotions and filled you with an overwhelming sense of fear.

So, to recap, "terror-stricken" is a word used to describe an extreme level of fear, where one feels overwhelmed to the point of paralysis. It's like being consumed by terror, unable to think or act rationally.