C1 adjective Literary

hyperterrful

/ˌhaɪpərˈtɛrfəl/

Describes something that is excessively terrifying or causing an overwhelming sense of dread, often due to its vast scale or intense nature. It is typically used to describe situations or environments that evoke a profound, almost paralyzing fear.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The prospect of getting lost in the deep, hyperterrful caverns kept the explorers on edge.

The prospect of getting lost in the deep, extremely terrifying caverns kept the explorers on edge.

2

The witness provided a hyperterrful account of the events that transpired during the catastrophic storm.

The witness provided an intensely frightening account of the events that transpired during the catastrophic storm.

3

That survival game is totally hyperterrful when you play it with the lights off.

That survival game is completely overwhelming and scary when you play it with the lights off.

Word Family

Noun
hyperterrfulness
Adverb
hyperterrfully
Adjective
hyperterrful
Related
hyperterror
💡

Memory Tip

Break it into three: 'Hyper' (excessive) + 'Terr' (as in terror/terrain) + 'Ful' (full of). It is when you are 'excessively full of terror'.

Quick Quiz

Staring into the infinite darkness of the deep ocean, he felt a _______ sense of insignificance.

Correct!

The correct answer is: hyperterrful

Examples

1

The prospect of getting lost in the deep, hyperterrful caverns kept the explorers on edge.

everyday

The prospect of getting lost in the deep, extremely terrifying caverns kept the explorers on edge.

2

The witness provided a hyperterrful account of the events that transpired during the catastrophic storm.

formal

The witness provided an intensely frightening account of the events that transpired during the catastrophic storm.

3

That survival game is totally hyperterrful when you play it with the lights off.

informal

That survival game is completely overwhelming and scary when you play it with the lights off.

4

In Lovecraftian literature, the protagonist often faces hyperterrful entities that defy human comprehension.

academic

In Lovecraftian literature, the protagonist often faces excessively terrifying entities that defy human comprehension.

5

The CEO viewed the sudden emergence of a dominant competitor as a hyperterrful threat to the company's survival.

business

The CEO viewed the sudden emergence of a dominant competitor as an extremely frightening threat to the company's survival.

Word Family

Noun
hyperterrfulness
Adverb
hyperterrfully
Adjective
hyperterrful
Related
hyperterror

Common Collocations

hyperterrful experience an extremely terrifying experience
hyperterrful landscape an intimidating and vast landscape
hyperterrful silence an overwhelmingly dread-filled silence
hyperterrful realization an intensely frightening realization
hyperterrful prospect an extremely scary possibility

Common Phrases

a hyperterrful encounter

a meeting with something extremely scary

lost in a hyperterrful void

stuck in an overwhelmingly frightening emptiness

hyperterrful to behold

extremely terrifying to look at

Often Confused With

hyperterrful vs terrifying

Hyperterrful implies a much higher intensity and a sense of being 'beyond' normal fear.

hyperterrful vs hyper-realistic

Refers to extreme detail in art or simulation, not to the emotion of fear.

📝

Usage Notes

This word is often used in literary or creative contexts to describe horror that is cosmic or existential. It is too strong for everyday inconveniences or minor scares.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners might use this for small fears, like seeing a common house spider; it should be reserved for truly overwhelming or 'hyper' levels of dread.

💡

Memory Tip

Break it into three: 'Hyper' (excessive) + 'Terr' (as in terror/terrain) + 'Ful' (full of). It is when you are 'excessively full of terror'.

📖

Word Origin

A modern compound of the Greek prefix 'hyper-' (over/beyond) and the Latin root 'terr-' (fear/frighten), suffixed with '-ful'.

Grammar Patterns

Used as an attributive adjective before a noun. Used as a predicative adjective after linking verbs like 'is' or 'became'.
🌍

Cultural Context

Reflects the modern linguistic trend of adding prefixes to intensify emotional states in speculative fiction.

Quick Quiz

Staring into the infinite darkness of the deep ocean, he felt a _______ sense of insignificance.

Correct!

The correct answer is: hyperterrful

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