terrorize

verb

ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz How to pronounce terrorize (audio)
terrorized; terrorizing

transitive verb

1
: to fill with terror or anxiety : scare
2
: to coerce by threat or violence
terrorization noun

Examples of terrorize in a Sentence

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The story follows former police officer Thakur Baldev Singh, who enlists two small-time rogues — the charismatic Veeru and introspective Jai — to capture the notorious dacoit Gabbar Singh, who terrorizes the village of Ramgarh. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 June 2025 The cowardly Dodgers remain silent as ICE raids terrorize their fans, columnist Dylan Hernández argued. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025 And there is the 21st-century warfare of surveillance and explosives-laden drones terrorizing the civilian population on the cheap. Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 20 June 2025 The novel, written by Peter Benchley, revolved around a small resort town terrorized by a Great White shark and the efforts of three men to kill it. Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for terrorize

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrorize was in 1823

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorize. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

terrorize

verb
ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz How to pronounce terrorize (audio)
terrorized; terrorizing
1
: to fill with terror
2
: to force by threat or violence
terrorization noun

Legal Definition

terrorize

transitive verb
ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz How to pronounce terrorize (audio)
terrorized; terrorizing
: to inflict terror upon
terrorization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on terrorize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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