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
Mark of the Wolves featured a first-of-its-kind citywide tournament following the death of a crime lord who had terrorized the fictional metropolis South Town, and whose son had been raised by Terry Bogard, the series protagonist.
—
The New York Times, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
The addition of Nolen to a defensive line of Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and 2024 defensive rookie of the year winner Jared Verse would give them a young defensive front that would terrorize opposing offensive linemen for years to come.
—Fox News Staff, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Episode Six: When a serial killer terrorizes the streets of New York, the city needs a savior.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
In director Steve Pink’s sci-fi romp Hot Tub Time Machine, Stan played the typical ’80s bully Blaine, who terrorizes a group of friends (John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson and Clark Duke) who travel back in time to their teen years at a 1986 ski resort.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
The New York Times, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
The addition of Nolen to a defensive line of Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and 2024 defensive rookie of the year winner Jared Verse would give them a young defensive front that would terrorize opposing offensive linemen for years to come.
—Fox News Staff, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Episode Six: When a serial killer terrorizes the streets of New York, the city needs a savior.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
In director Steve Pink’s sci-fi romp Hot Tub Time Machine, Stan played the typical ’80s bully Blaine, who terrorizes a group of friends (John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson and Clark Duke) who travel back in time to their teen years at a 1986 ski resort.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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The goal of strengthening Washington’s presence should be to reassure partners that U.S. pressure is designed to create stronger alliances, not to pave the way for abandonment, as well as to ensure that resisting China is viable for countries that are frightened by Beijing.—
A. Wess Mitchell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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The American Declaration of Independence and Constitution frightened monarchies and despots around the world without a single bullet or gunboat.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Start to say no to distractions that do not serve your higher purpose, and start saying yes to the things that challenge you, stretch you and even scare you a little.—
Melissa Sierra,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
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What scares and excites you about where AI is headed for the next generation of artists?—
Lily Marks,
Time,
5 May 2025
Verb
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The prospective repercussions terrify the corner of the AI universe concerned about safety, industry experts said, particularly as leading players pursue artificial general intelligence, or AGI, which is technology that rivals or exceeds human intelligence.—
Hayden Field,Jonathan Vanian,Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
14 May 2025
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The radiotherapy had caused swelling in my brain—apparently a normal response, but still terrifying.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
Verb
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Sea pens can produce a bioluminescent glow when disturbed, flashing a greenish light to startle predators such as sea stars and nudibranchs.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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Long time viewers of 60 Minutes are understandably startled by these high level fireworks.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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