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
Diane Garrett, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The Iranian regime has terrorized the region.
—NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
In it, the 62-year-old reveals how her mother came face-to-face with a serial predator who terrorized California and lived to tell the tale.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
As a state legislator, Lincoln stood against slave catchers backed by the federal government who defiled our state’s laws and terrorized our most vulnerable.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
These attacks often provided a larger cultural pretext for the campaigns of extralegal political violence that terrorized Black voters in the South, assassinated political leaders, and marred the integrity of several of the region’s major elections.
—Robert D. Bland, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
King's 1986 horror novel told the story of seven children terrorized by an evil entity called It, which exploits its victims using their own fears.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
In further news of book people showing up for each other, and for the rest of us, a dedicated group of publishing and culture workers has organized an auction to raise funds in support of communities terrorized by ICE and DHS.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
The novel is set a few years after the Boston Strangler terrorized that New England city, and the same summer as Richard Speck murdered eight nurses in Chicago, with the Zodiac Killer, the Manson family and countless others to follow.
—Diane Garrett, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The Iranian regime has terrorized the region.
—NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
In it, the 62-year-old reveals how her mother came face-to-face with a serial predator who terrorized California and lived to tell the tale.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
As a state legislator, Lincoln stood against slave catchers backed by the federal government who defiled our state’s laws and terrorized our most vulnerable.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
These attacks often provided a larger cultural pretext for the campaigns of extralegal political violence that terrorized Black voters in the South, assassinated political leaders, and marred the integrity of several of the region’s major elections.
—Robert D. Bland, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
King's 1986 horror novel told the story of seven children terrorized by an evil entity called It, which exploits its victims using their own fears.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
In further news of book people showing up for each other, and for the rest of us, a dedicated group of publishing and culture workers has organized an auction to raise funds in support of communities terrorized by ICE and DHS.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorized
Adjective
-
The facile novelty of adultery is its own mask, a sexy way of dressing up a deep, frightened longing for security.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
He wasn’t arrested, but Toni Jo was frightened enough to relinquish custody of him and return to Saudi Arabia.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Greene leaves big and loud shoes to fill, but her larger-than-life presence in Washington hasn't scared away candidates hoping to replace her.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That term definitely scared off some other teams.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Everyone is terrified but grateful for this gift Ennis and Gary have given them.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
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But her mother, too terrified to take out the garbage, let alone venture through the city to a hospital, canceled the procedure.—
Kate Wells,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors allege Joshua Alvarado, 30, passed out at the wheel of his pickup truck while driving to work and was startled awake by other drivers honking at him.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
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In the early hours of Sunday morning, as a bar in a busy nightlife district of Austin, Texas, prepared to close for the night, patrons and staff were startled by the sound of gunshots.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Elizabeth Hurley isn't afraid of a re-wear.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Don't be afraid of the rainy season.—
Tom Vanderbilt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Hamilton and Madison would have been aligned in horrified opposition had Washington, without congressional action, dispatched gunboats to sink British ships.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
-
And the posts do tend to trigger horrified reactions from other TikTok users.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Still, the deal still did catch some off guard, including the trial’s own judge Judge Arun Subramanian, who was shocked to learn that while an agreement was reached last week, the court wasn’t alerted until Monday.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2026
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Even Jordan looked shocked as the audience rose to its feet and Viola Davis, the award’s presenter, celebrated.—
Jake Coyle,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The law enforcement steps have alarmed election officials and Democrats who fear that the administration is building an argument for interfering in this year’s midterm elections.—
Isaac Arnsdorf,
Washington Post,
9 Mar. 2026
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Donnie is alarmed to find her in a room that, according to the board, is unoccupied.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorized. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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