as in to frighten
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
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Recent Examples of terrorize
An outstanding receiver who terrorized linebackers and has the ability to beat safeties (and some corners), Loveland is also a better blocker than people realize and one of the most dependable talents on the board.
—
Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Those of us who have lived in countries terrorized by a secret police force can’t shake a feeling of dreadful familiarity.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2025
After falling in with a group of troublemaking teens, a clown that resembles Frendo, the factory’s mascot, begins terrorizing the town and targeting Quinn and her buddies.
—William Earl, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
Fred Hechinger stars as the too-earnest counselor while Wolfhard, Bryk, and more young actors are there to surely terrorize him before a masked killer terrorizes them.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Those of us who have lived in countries terrorized by a secret police force can’t shake a feeling of dreadful familiarity.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2025
After falling in with a group of troublemaking teens, a clown that resembles Frendo, the factory’s mascot, begins terrorizing the town and targeting Quinn and her buddies.
—William Earl, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
Fred Hechinger stars as the too-earnest counselor while Wolfhard, Bryk, and more young actors are there to surely terrorize him before a masked killer terrorizes them.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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Two years ago, several small-business owners testified to a legislative committee that Americans with Disabilities Act plaintiffs’ lawyers filed spurious complaints, alleging what appeared to be a random list of violations in an attempt to frighten and intimidate the business owner.—
Mark Hillman,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2025
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This has hallmarks of emotional abuse – non-physical behaviors meant to isolate, control and frighten.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Missouri product is a solid route-runner with sure hands, but there are some off-field concerns that could scare teams away.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
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As the Trump administration arbitrarily revokes and denies student visas, and xenophobic rhetoric scares away potential foreigners, agencies specializing in recruiting students from abroad are facing a sharp downturn.—
Emma Whitford,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The house that the Americans strategically position themselves in is home to two families; there are occasional insert shots of family photos and trinkets, and at several points these families are shown cowering, terrified by what’s happening around them.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2025
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Addie is gripping onto her seat completely terrified.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That aural reminder punctuates my days now, and frequently startles me.—
Rob Mank,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 Apr. 2025
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But the website also has messages about residents being startled, as Catanzaro was, by stealthy contractors with air guns.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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