as in to frighten
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrorize
The days of letting dangerous criminals terrorize American citizens are over.
—
Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Known for Los Espookys, Fantasmas, and Problemista (along with some of SNL’s funnier and kookier bits of the past few years), Torres feels — kind of like Cole Escola and Chris Fleming — like a cause for hope in our mostly terrorizing present.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Deadline visited the set in July 2024 as the cast and crew braved blasting sun and temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit in northern Jordan, shooting the scenes in which British forces terrorized villages suspected of being involved in militant activities.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
At the outset of this meditative novel, a pair of out-of-work twins who are haunted by their parents’ histories as thieves and killers decide to go on a hunt for a puma that is terrorizing farmers and livestock in the highlands of Tasmania.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Known for Los Espookys, Fantasmas, and Problemista (along with some of SNL’s funnier and kookier bits of the past few years), Torres feels — kind of like Cole Escola and Chris Fleming — like a cause for hope in our mostly terrorizing present.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Deadline visited the set in July 2024 as the cast and crew braved blasting sun and temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit in northern Jordan, shooting the scenes in which British forces terrorized villages suspected of being involved in militant activities.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
At the outset of this meditative novel, a pair of out-of-work twins who are haunted by their parents’ histories as thieves and killers decide to go on a hunt for a puma that is terrorizing farmers and livestock in the highlands of Tasmania.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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Judy Hernandez’ husband Raul, a co-founder of the community group the Resurrection Project, dismissed those plans as a political stunt geared to create fear and frighten Spanish-speaking people.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Just enough time to snap some selfies and scare your housemates.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Their offense, outside their all-world quarterback, doesn’t scare anybody, not without Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (injury), and with Travis Kelce in Year 13.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In that episode, the college football fans are terrified to find themselves in Pro Town, a place where people go to yoga on Saturdays.—
Kristi Dosh,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Murillo recalled a Cuban grandmother whose grandchildren were terrified to go to school after their father was detained in front of them at their own home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Seagulls lift off the beach, startled by the sudden salty cacophony.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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While some dogs are more confident, others may become easily startled by noises, objects, or movements that appear harmless to humans.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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