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 Other family members and alleged victims claimed the patriarch terrorized them with threats and violence. Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 2 Mar. 2024 Watching Alfie terrorize his wait staff, viewers wouldn’t need further expository passages. Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024 Temu The formerly obscure shopping hub blanketed terrorized the American public with a gaggle of ads that bordered on global harassment. Rob Ledonne, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024 The mall has been expanded and redesigned over the last 45 years since Blanco terrorized the community. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2024 In regions where it is stretched thin, the junta hires private militias and border guard forces to attack resistance fighters and terrorize civilians. Avinash Paliwal, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2024 Couple who bought house from Utah mom charged with killing husband feel like 'bystanders in her path of destruction' Illinois nurse who was terrorized by her ex turned to the court for help. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 19 Jan. 2024 Starring Don Cheadle, Ving Rhames, and Jon Voight, Rosewood is based on real events of the Rosewood Massacre that happened in 1923, when a Black community in Rosewood, Florida was terrorized by a racist white mob and burned to the ground. Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 16 Feb. 2024 Russia and Ukraine use drones to terrorize each other’s citizens as well as generate propaganda to stiffen their own citizens’ resolve. Paul Lushenko, The Conversation, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'terrorize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrorize was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near terrorize

Cite this Entry

“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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