terrorize

verb

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

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.
Once feared, Cyrus now spends more time tending his herb garden than terrorizing the local village. Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 19 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 Their support for terrorist proxies has to end, that has terrorized the entire Middle East, from the Houthis to Hezbollah to Hamas, to the militias in Iraq that have killed American soldiers, my friends and colleagues and the veterans for many decades. ABC News, 14 June 2026 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 20 Jun. 2026.

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

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