as in to frighten
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Nobody does horror like Peele, and Us—which features a family terrorized by a set of doppelgängers—is no exception.
—
Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
As alleged in multiple ongoing lawsuits against Riverside Church, Lorch terrorized and abused many of his players, using his money, power, and stature to satisfy his raging pedophilia.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The Red Ghost The Red Ghost is a legendary figure from Arizona's Wild West days, a mysterious creature that terrorized the rugged desert in the late 19th century.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For communities being terrorized by militarized policing.
—Tierra Cunningham, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
As alleged in multiple ongoing lawsuits against Riverside Church, Lorch terrorized and abused many of his players, using his money, power, and stature to satisfy his raging pedophilia.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The Red Ghost The Red Ghost is a legendary figure from Arizona's Wild West days, a mysterious creature that terrorized the rugged desert in the late 19th century.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For communities being terrorized by militarized policing.
—Tierra Cunningham, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
-
There are no effective repellents or devices that frighten away raccoons.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
-
One, frightened, pressed her belly into the pavement.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Carter Taylor of Kansas City, an elementary school educator and legislative chair for the Kansas City Federation of Teachers, said efforts to privatize education should scare parents.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Playing on parental fears, The Babadook has been scaring the daylights out of us for a solid decade now.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Usually when a pet is terrified of kennel life, a shelter moves quickly to find a loving foster to provide comfort, which is what happened with this little one.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Grasso is terrified of being found out as the mole in the task force.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It’s designed for convenience and quiet operation, featuring a sleep mode that won't startle anyone.—
Christine Persaud,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Who jumped, startled, when Rey laughed nervously.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share