terrorize

1 of 2

verb

ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz 

terrorized; terrorizing

transitive verb

1

: to fill with terror or anxiety : scare

2

: to coerce by threat or violence

terrorization

ˌter-ər-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

terrorization

2 of 2

noun

ter·​ror·​iza·​tion

variants also British terrorisation

ˌterərə̇ˈzāshən, 

-erəˌrīˈz-

plural -s

: the act or process of terrorizing

Synonyms of terrorize

Verb

• frighten
• scare
• terrify
• startle

Examples of terrorize in a Sentence

Verb

As a child she terrorized her younger siblings.

She was terrorized by nightmares.

Employees were terrorized into accepting abysmal working conditions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Stockton Police Department Jail records show other charges Bautista faces are felony threat crime with intent to terrorize, vehicle theft and a parole violation. — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Surveillance footage captured the brief window of time when a masked man wearing a creepy Chucky-style Halloween mask terrorized multiple people in downtown Philadelphia. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Stock Up Edge rusher Chop Robinson continues his dominant practices by terrorizing Dolphins offensive tackles all day. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Gabby Williams, a former Chicago draft pick and standout, terrorized her onetime team to the tune of 13 points and three steals. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1869, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for terrorize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

terrorize

verb

ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz 

terrorized; terrorizing

1

: to fill with terror

2

: to force by threat or violence

terrorization

ˌter-ər-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Legal Definition

terrorize

transitive verb

ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz 

terrorized; terrorizing

: to inflict terror upon

terrorization

ˌter-ər-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun