Synonyms of terrorize

terrorize

verb

ˈter-ər-ˌīz 

as in to frighten

to strike with fear

thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frighten
• scare
• terrify
• startle
• spook
• horrify
• panic
• scarify
• shock
• shake
• fright
• affright
• alarm
• amaze
• distract
• give one the creeps
• appall
• make one's flesh creep
• shake up
• worry
• astound
• emasculate
• unsettle
• disturb
• unnerve
• dismay
• demoralize
• awe
• jolt
• dispirit
• daunt
• perturb
• distress
• upset
• floor
• discomfort
• disconcert
• bowl over
• unman
• psych (out)
• disquiet
• chill
• undo
• discompose
• unstring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassure
• assure
• cheer
• soothe
• comfort
• encourage
• inspire
• console
• steel
• solace
• embolden
• hearten

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of terrorize

That a Christian man was responsible for the devastation in Oklahoma City certainly didn’t matter to the thugs who terrorized a Muslim woman there, nearly seven months pregnant, by attacking her home, breaking her windows, screaming religious slurs. — Reshma Memon Yaqub, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

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