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
They are believed to scare away the mythical monster Nian, who would terrorize villages at the start of the new year.
—
Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Dec. 2025
From horrifying films about a snowman's murderous rampage and folkloric Christmas demons who terrorize not-so-nice families to comedies with a bit of edge and raunchy humor, these titles would certainly make Santa's naughty list.
—Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
Jenna’s sister Kristil Krug was stalked, terrorized and murdered by Kristil’s husband, who masqueraded as an ex-boyfriend.
—Josh Mankiewicz, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Grinch was a name given to him by Whoville, a town that terrorized him.
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Dec. 2025
From horrifying films about a snowman's murderous rampage and folkloric Christmas demons who terrorize not-so-nice families to comedies with a bit of edge and raunchy humor, these titles would certainly make Santa's naughty list.
—Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
Jenna’s sister Kristil Krug was stalked, terrorized and murdered by Kristil’s husband, who masqueraded as an ex-boyfriend.
—Josh Mankiewicz, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Grinch was a name given to him by Whoville, a town that terrorized him.
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 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
-
After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.—
Outside,
Outside,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Don’t let the tackiness of this primer scare you.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hodges managed to hang on to his baton but then found himself on all fours, surrounded by the mob, terrified that he would soon be torn apart.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
At another level, there does seem to be something absurd and even terrifying about the idea that someone who is not elected can become the leader of a country and then will be recognized as the leader of that country and receive the immunities afforded to heads of state.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jamie, the dog-sitter, is startled that Pam is back so soon.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Hauge called that startling, given that court filing fees alone cost just as much.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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