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 Iranian regime has terrorized the region.
—
NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
In it, the 62-year-old reveals how her mother came face-to-face with a serial predator who terrorized California and lived to tell the tale.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Also his signature immigration policy, these mass deportations, has become broadly unpopular, especially after the two killings in Minneapolis and these scenes of federal agents seemingly terrorizing people.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
In it, the 62-year-old reveals how her mother came face-to-face with a serial predator who terrorized California and lived to tell the tale.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Also his signature immigration policy, these mass deportations, has become broadly unpopular, especially after the two killings in Minneapolis and these scenes of federal agents seemingly terrorizing people.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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His dribbling, direct running style and finishing frighten defenders and light up the biggest stages.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The piercing sunlight frightens her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That term definitely scared off some other teams.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Among them is an allegation that Live Nation threatens to retaliate against venues that work with rivals, allegedly scaring those venues into complying.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But across the political divide, the bombings are terrifying for many Iranians, with civilian casualities on the rise.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Public testimony stretched for hours, where speakers shared concerns that the legislation could have legal repercussions, disrupt community relationships with local law enforcement and make immigrants terrified to interact with police, school or hospital staff.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the early hours of Sunday morning, as a bar in a busy nightlife district of Austin, Texas, prepared to close for the night, patrons and staff were startled by the sound of gunshots.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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If hypotheticals about what could have been are a good dream for New York Knicks fans, then Mikal Bridges is the alarm clock that startles them awake.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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