as in to frighten
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrorize
People are afraid, people are terrorized.
—
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
The Her Smell director (and, relevantly, former Kim’s Video clerk) fully taps into his dark side for this sadistic little number about a community terrorized by a child-abducting serial killer.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
During that decade, as Jacobs grew from a child to a young woman, Norcom psychologically and physically terrorized her.
—Mollie Barnes, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
Jury from Jasper county hears Porter case The other case was a high-profile one in February 2006 involving Daniel Porter, who was accused of kidnapping his 7-year-old son, Sam, and 8-year-old daughter, Lindsey, in June 2004 to terrorize his ex-wife, Tina Porter.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
The Her Smell director (and, relevantly, former Kim’s Video clerk) fully taps into his dark side for this sadistic little number about a community terrorized by a child-abducting serial killer.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
During that decade, as Jacobs grew from a child to a young woman, Norcom psychologically and physically terrorized her.
—Mollie Barnes, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
Jury from Jasper county hears Porter case The other case was a high-profile one in February 2006 involving Daniel Porter, who was accused of kidnapping his 7-year-old son, Sam, and 8-year-old daughter, Lindsey, in June 2004 to terrorize his ex-wife, Tina Porter.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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Like the Earth sign, the righteous dog detective Scooby doesn't appreciate confrontation and gets frightened in scary situations.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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Lina sniffs, stamps her feet in the snow to make her own set of giant prints to frighten this creature.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Although Fish Hut Grill typically has a line out its door, don't let that scare you away.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
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One great line to defend against and three others that won’t scare opposing head coaches.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Mariners are terrified of the Carpenter versus Kirby matchup.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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The weight of it terrified her; That Rock seemed to want to pull her somewhere deep inside the ground.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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It’s designed for convenience and quiet operation, featuring a sleep mode that won't startle anyone.—
Christine Persaud,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Who jumped, startled, when Rey laughed nervously.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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