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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrorized
Michael Loria, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The Monster of Florence is a name coined by Mario Spezi, a former crime reporter for Italy's La Nazione, for a serial killer that terrorized the countryside outside Florence, Italy, between 1968 and 1985.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Stack’s Lilly particularly stands out as a young girl still terrorized by the traumatic loss of her father, but desperate to save her friends from experiencing similar kinds of anguish.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Our national epidemic of gun violence has terrorized us and taken too many lives.
—Scott Peters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
As with the films, the inspiration is Stephen King’s 1986 novel IT, about a group of kids terrorized by IT, an evil entity that transcends generations and manifests itself in the form of Pennywise.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
In 2023, the mother of two was enlisted by investigators to determine whether the man who once terrorized Wichita, Kansas, and taunted police during a 17-year murder spree might be linked to other unsolved killings.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Three people in Halloween masks showed up at a Virginia family’s home at night and terrorized them, making demands and threats, authorities said.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
Many local critics say instead innocent people are being left terrorized.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The Monster of Florence is a name coined by Mario Spezi, a former crime reporter for Italy's La Nazione, for a serial killer that terrorized the countryside outside Florence, Italy, between 1968 and 1985.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Stack’s Lilly particularly stands out as a young girl still terrorized by the traumatic loss of her father, but desperate to save her friends from experiencing similar kinds of anguish.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Our national epidemic of gun violence has terrorized us and taken too many lives.
—Scott Peters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
As with the films, the inspiration is Stephen King’s 1986 novel IT, about a group of kids terrorized by IT, an evil entity that transcends generations and manifests itself in the form of Pennywise.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
In 2023, the mother of two was enlisted by investigators to determine whether the man who once terrorized Wichita, Kansas, and taunted police during a 17-year murder spree might be linked to other unsolved killings.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Three people in Halloween masks showed up at a Virginia family’s home at night and terrorized them, making demands and threats, authorities said.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorized
Adjective
-
The Japanese had cyclotrons but no nuclear lobby driven by frightened, concerned, or ambitious scientists.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Her parents were opposed to the Russian occupation but too frightened to talk about it.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Few books have scared me as much.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
-
And don’t be ashamed to straight-up ask if the route is appropriate for someone who has never rock climbed or is scared of climbing a ladder.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Not every traveler wants to feel terrified on vacation, so this round-up of eight spooky places around the globe ranges from the perfectly harmless to the downright creepy.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of bounding in with excitement, the golden retriever looks terrified.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Whether a pup bolts after a squirrel, slips its collar, or runs off after being startled, those first few minutes can feel endless.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Who jumped, startled, when Rey laughed nervously.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Heat coaches and players aren’t afraid to admit it.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Some in Silicon Valley, even those developing advanced AI, are genuinely afraid of where the technology might lead.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Like Porcile, a horrified warning.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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When Trowbridge announces that Rayburn was the architect of the HMS Courageous attack and doesn’t say a word about Roylin, everyone is rocked back on their heels in horrified surprise, except for Dennison.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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When she is betrayed by her own likeness, Stella can only look out onto a shocked audience, and happens to find a familiar –– albeit, not friendly –– face among them.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
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The shocked look on Byrne’s face, captured in one take, is genuine.—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Still, Lebanon has reason to be especially alarmed.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
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Experts the Times spoke to seemed more alarmed.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorized. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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