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
Co-written by its star Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian, who directs, the play dramatizes the real-life violence of Ken McElroy, a man who terrorized a small town for years in rural Missouri.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Byfield and Alex Turcotte were once two of the very best prospects in the sport, and Kings fans envisioned a Byfield-Turcotte-Kopitar center depth chart that would terrorize teams.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
The movie is understood to follow a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits who use the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and terrorize the occupants of a small town.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
He is also accused of entering her home to commit an offense and unlawfully removing her in order to inflict bodily injury or terrorize her.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Byfield and Alex Turcotte were once two of the very best prospects in the sport, and Kings fans envisioned a Byfield-Turcotte-Kopitar center depth chart that would terrorize teams.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
The movie is understood to follow a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits who use the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and terrorize the occupants of a small town.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
He is also accused of entering her home to commit an offense and unlawfully removing her in order to inflict bodily injury or terrorize her.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
-
How To Keep Skunks Away From Your Yard There are no effective repellants or devices that frighten skunks away.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Several critics said the legislation introduces too many unknowns, adding that with the artificial intelligence legislation also under consideration, Connecticut is moving towards regulations that could frighten companies looking to grow in the state.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Eriksson Ek scare Top Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek left 29 seconds into the third period after sliding awkwardly into the boards.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The lobby is where the elderly owner scares children with tales of a witch who once haunted these grounds.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Starring Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jong-won, the film follows a road-view camera crew that encounters terrifying supernatural events at a remote reservoir.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Monitor was always meant to be experienced with a room full of people being terrified together.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Peafowl can also disturb landscaping and startle people with their piercing screams.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The gunfire startled sleeping guests at the Citizen Hotel, which included a wedding party and fans of the rapper Tyler the Creator, who performed at a concert hours earlier.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
