as in frightened
filled with fear or dread
the terrorized victims didn't know where to run during the bombing raid
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scared
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of terrorized
ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
His character is described as a serial killer who terrorized the City years ago.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
And some of the silence is designed to amplify the missing, the previously ignored, the co-opted, the terrorized, the gaslighted, and excluded voices of the country’s most ardent supporters of a multiracial democracy.
—Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
For a survivor who has been repeatedly and continuously terrorized, the perception of being in mortal danger does not come into focus in a single, dramatic moment.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
In war, the V-2 terrorized Britain and its allies.
—Michael Carrafiello, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe will all be returning to be further terrorized by hearing-sensitive aliens.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Jack O’Connell, Lola Kirke and Peter Dreimanis — the actors who terrorized the juke joint as bloodthirsty vampires in the movie — also snaked their way onto the stage.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The Iranian regime has terrorized the region.
—NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
Admitted Gilgo Beach, New York, serial killer Rex Heuermann confessed to the murders of eight women last week, bringing resolution to a 17-year killing spree that terrorized Long Island.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
His character is described as a serial killer who terrorized the City years ago.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
And some of the silence is designed to amplify the missing, the previously ignored, the co-opted, the terrorized, the gaslighted, and excluded voices of the country’s most ardent supporters of a multiracial democracy.
—Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
For a survivor who has been repeatedly and continuously terrorized, the perception of being in mortal danger does not come into focus in a single, dramatic moment.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
In war, the V-2 terrorized Britain and its allies.
—Michael Carrafiello, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe will all be returning to be further terrorized by hearing-sensitive aliens.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Jack O’Connell, Lola Kirke and Peter Dreimanis — the actors who terrorized the juke joint as bloodthirsty vampires in the movie — also snaked their way onto the stage.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The Iranian regime has terrorized the region.
—NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorized
Adjective
-
Soapy Water Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Their height and heft frightened and thrilled spectators, earning dinosaurs a permanent place in the public imagination, Coules said.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Three Grammy wins, a Men’s Health cover and 275 pounds later, the blood draw that scared him most turned out to be the decision that saved his life.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The coyote grabbed the boy and took him to the ground before a nearby adult rushed over and scared the animal away.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Ashley takes some of the other women to her favorite beach, and Alicia, who is used to her country club, is terrified.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Horner dropped a package, McGuire said, and was startled by the team.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Maybe a lot of producers are Melissas, afraid of the present, looking toward a past that never really existed.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Miami is exceptionally good at finding role players , so don’t be afraid to trade a Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr, etc.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The others followed, and the titillated-horrified crowd quietly walked back into the night.—
Jerry Saltz,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
-
As the scene was projected onto a screen, Jude seemed slightly horrified to see himself in front of the camera rather than behind it.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Or Scott Spiezio, whose three-run thunderbolt into the right field box seats in Game 6 of the World Series against San Francisco started the comeback from a 3-2 series deficit that led to those looks of shocked amazement among long-time Angels employees the next night.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
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After one bite, Chris looked shocked.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On the campaign trail, school board members and alarmed parents predicted marijuana would increasingly find its way into the hands of children and stoned drivers would cause more traffic collisions.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In the 1850s, company managers were alarmed to find out shipping workers were opening crates and marking P&G containers with stars to help coworkers who couldn’t read.—
Alexander Coolidge,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorized. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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