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

Brooks also relished his role as a class clown, terrorizing his teachers and leaving his friends gasping with laughter. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

The clip ultimately evolved into a lo-fi vision of the Rapture, complete with giant flaming hands terrorizing the band. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 30 June 2026

But his journey from shining shoes in the slums to terrorizing defenses in the world’s biggest stadiums relies too heavily on the flashy montage to pack an emotional punch. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Maxwell is being charged with breaking and entering a building to terrorize, injury to real property and resisting an officer, officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 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