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terrorize

verb

ˈter-ər-ˌīz How to pronounce terrorize (audio)
Definition of terrorizenext
as in to frighten
to strike with fear thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of terrorize Doe joins a growing chorus of women who say they were privately terrorized by the country’s most famous union activist. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Zymire Hughes, the man accused of terrorizing at least a half-dozen people while wearing a Chucky-style mask in Center City, has been extradited to Philadelphia, police said. — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 Terrors of the Deep — Deadly sea beasts terrorize the fishermen along the docks. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026 Arrest documents offered a flurry of new details about two former Phoenix police officers suspected of terrorizing a couple during a traffic stop and failing to document or report the stop. — Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
  1. frighten
  2. scare
  3. terrify
  4. startle
Verb
  • Come back to the conversation Whereas adults may be able to more quickly move on with their daily lives after feeling disturbed or frightened by upsetting media, children may experience more elevated and prolonged stress.
    — Anahi Collado, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Last Friday, the artist Pink published a lengthy criticism of Macklemore’s on-stage polemic, writing that his comments and use of violent wartime imagery had frightened many Jewish people, including her.
    — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • These tours take place during the day, with the lights on and, rather than scare actors, you’ll be joined by a friendly tour guide to walk you through the details of each house.
    — Tarah Chieffi, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Elmore says the bear eventually climbed down the side of the truck, and employees scared it away from the area.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of scare
Verb
  • One night, Bridget decides to leave after thoroughly terrifying her husband with an ax.
    — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Elizabeth Pizzo was terrified earlier this year about what would happen to her son.
    — Jim DeFede, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrify
Verb
  • As if triggered by this thought, the door buzzed itself open, startling the pigeons from wire to wing, a grand scattering.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Their approach startled the predator, who took off with the mother godwit in its claws.
    — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of startle

Browse Nearby Words

terrorisms
terrorize
terrorized
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Cite this Entry

“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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