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
On the other hand, pitchers and opponents across the American League East, the division Devers had terrorized since his debut in 2017, received a reprieve.
—
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 June 2025
The dog terrorized Dani into playing, a common occurrence during this stage of the pup's life.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Next to the influence of changing weather circumstances, strong variations in temperature and the possible presence of dangers, insects terrorized primal man at night.
—Literary Hub, 12 June 2025
The number of Haitians forced to flee their homes by terrorizing armed gangs has now hit nearly 1.3 million, the United Nations International Organization for Migration said Wednesday.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 June 2025
The dog terrorized Dani into playing, a common occurrence during this stage of the pup's life.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Next to the influence of changing weather circumstances, strong variations in temperature and the possible presence of dangers, insects terrorized primal man at night.
—Literary Hub, 12 June 2025
The number of Haitians forced to flee their homes by terrorizing armed gangs has now hit nearly 1.3 million, the United Nations International Organization for Migration said Wednesday.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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May 9, 2024 Gary Usher, a songwriter who worked with Landy, told state investigators that Wilson was a virtual captive, manipulated by a man who frightened and intimidated him.—
Steve Marble,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
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Today, movies and TV intended for the biggest audience possible often water down their storytelling and generalize in order to avoid anything that might challenge, frighten or unsettle the audience.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
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However, the stories about Porter from Cleveland and Houston may scare enough other teams that Milwaukee can keep him at that price. 7.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
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That is because high costs are still scaring off buyers, who are also delaying purchasing a home because of growing economic uncertainty.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Every manager, then, wanted a guy on his bench who was there for one reason only: to grab a bat, terrify the closer and obliterate a baseball.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Farm laborers, many of whom have lived and worked in their communities for decades, were terrified of being rounded up and deported, separated from their families and livelihoods.—
Jessica Garrison,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Driver hit a pole after cicada startled them The crash happened around 1:48 p.m. on June 11 in Blue Ash, a suburb of Cincinnati, according to a crash report obtained by USA TODAY.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
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At one point, before anyone could intervene, the baby startled my dog, and my dog reacted by biting him.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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