as in to frighten
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
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Recent Examples of terrorize
Alberto Fujimori, who governed Peru from 1990 to 2000, is credited by supporters with rescuing the country from economic collapse, taming hyperinflation and defeating the brutal Maoist Shining Path insurgency, which had terrorized Peru for years.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
While the explosive winger who terrorized defenders for Manchester United and Real Madrid is long gone, the elite goalscorer remains.
—
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Entomologist Amy Murillo shared a rare, up-close look at the flesh-eating fly now terrorizing cattle and dairy farmers.
—
Kara Finnstrom,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
The Orange County Commission withdrew from the ICE agreement that was costing too much in taxpayer dollars to terrorize the community.
—
Nancy Rudner,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
While the explosive winger who terrorized defenders for Manchester United and Real Madrid is long gone, the elite goalscorer remains.
—
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Entomologist Amy Murillo shared a rare, up-close look at the flesh-eating fly now terrorizing cattle and dairy farmers.
—
Kara Finnstrom,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
The Orange County Commission withdrew from the ICE agreement that was costing too much in taxpayer dollars to terrorize the community.
—
Nancy Rudner,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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But her outbursts frightened the children too.
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What frightened me most was what might happen to my children.
Verb
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Don’t be scared by his blue eyes.
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The intent of the letters isn’t to scare people, but to educate them about water stewardship, Talbott said.
Verb
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Supporters — many of them wearing Colombia’s yellow and red colors — rushed the gates at the home stadium of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, leaving fans terrified and bloodied as security struggled to contain the rush.
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In La Guaira, entire sections of Catia la Mar remained without electricity on Thursday after many residents spent Wednesday night sleeping in streets, cars or near damaged buildings, terrified of further collapses.
Verb
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The mobile phone alert startled many across the city-state of Dubai, the first such alert since the interim ceasefire.
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Lansley said she has been startled by how chatbots can appear to display emotional intelligence.
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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