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
But the idea of Maduro as the head of a criminal enterprise terrorizing the United States has allowed Rubio to repackage military action against Venezuela as an anti-narcotics campaign.
—
David Smilde, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Englund sat down with Newsweek to discuss the film collection release, along with the enduring legacy of his time as the horror icon who has terrorized dreams for over 40 years.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The series is technically a prequel to 2017's IT and 2019's IT Chapter Two, which were adapted from Stephen King's 1986 epic novel about Derry, Maine, a small town being terrorized by an ancient, child-devouring evil that surfaces every 27 years.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The group emerged from the janjaweed militia that terrorized Darfur in the early 2000s and was accused of genocide.
—NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
David Smilde, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Englund sat down with Newsweek to discuss the film collection release, along with the enduring legacy of his time as the horror icon who has terrorized dreams for over 40 years.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The series is technically a prequel to 2017's IT and 2019's IT Chapter Two, which were adapted from Stephen King's 1986 epic novel about Derry, Maine, a small town being terrorized by an ancient, child-devouring evil that surfaces every 27 years.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The group emerged from the janjaweed militia that terrorized Darfur in the early 2000s and was accused of genocide.
—NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
-
These political executions are a callous attempt by the authorities to frighten and silence an increasingly restive population no longer willing to accept their corrupt and oppressive rule.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Tens of millions of dollars have been spent to redefine reality and to convince our neighbors that this new age is something that should frighten them.—
TIME Video,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Still, the company faces the same existential headwinds that have scared other would-be moguls away from the news business.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Skinner has gone to back-to-back Cup Finals, but the volatility in his game probably scares decision-makers.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Everyone was terrified of Friedkin.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Trump is terrified of the midterms, of Republicans losing control of the House or the Senate or both.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
His ability to perceive her internal struggles startled the standup.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The boy looked up mid-sob, startled.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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