terrorize

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

Synonyms of terrorize

• frighten
• scare
• terrify
• startle

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

South Korean director Na Hong-jin wowed audiences in Cannes with hi-octane sci-fi thriller Hope in which a remote community, situated on the edge of Korean Demilitarized Zone, is terrorized by the arrival of aliens. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026

Ike terrorized local teams as a Gonzaga standout, and started all three games for the Warriors at the California Classic while looking strong around the rim. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

This horror reimagining stars Jack Reynor as journalist Charlie Cannon and Laia Costa as his wife, Larissa, whose family is terrorized after their long-missing daughter, Katie (played by Natalie Grace), returns home possessed by an ancient demon. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Witt claimed that Golubski — who in 2024 faced trial for allegations including terrorizing and abusing Black women in KCK for decades before killing himself the day it was scheduled to begin — also abused her late cousin, Elaine Greene. — Sofi Zeman july 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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