terrorized 1 of 2

terrorized

2 of 2

verb

past tense of terrorize

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 terrorized
Verb
Just two hours from Florida’s coast, the city is terrorized by frequent gang kidnappings, rape and arson, all broadcast on social media. — CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026 Wisconsin tallied just eight total yards in the first quarter, as the Trojans swarmed the line of scrimmage and terrorized Joseph in the pocket. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 Other stories by King that have been adapted into films and TV shows include Children of the Corn — which spawned an entire franchise — and It, whose clown character, Pennywise, has terrorized several generations of young audience members. — Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 12 Oct. 2026 Clark plays the daughter of Ursula (Jessica Chastain) and Russ (Jay Duplass), a young girl terrorized by a sinister figure who looks just like her mother, known as the titular Other Mommy. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 Set in 1988, this new installment follows a family who leaves Jakarta for Bandung in search of a fresh start, only to be terrorized by the restless spirit of a young girl and her doll, Ghawiah. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Those are respectable numbers, but fans have been clamoring for more game-changing plays from a pass rusher who terrorized opposing offensive linemen during training camp. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 Many of them, including Ned and his childhood friend and rival, Roland, are scarred by their time as youth players, haunted by memories of the sadistic coaches and cruel, competitive fathers who terrorized them both on and off the court. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026 The random shooting spree killed 10 people and terrorized the entire Washington, DC, area for three weeks. — USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorized
Adjective
  • Discovering that your identity has been stolen can leave you feeling angry, frightened and unsure where to begin.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In one video, a young orangutan can be seen crouching in the corner of a small, dark crate, its frightened eyes wide open.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • That’s a $69,000 per-screen average — a far cry from La La Land ($176K) or even Anora ($91K), but in line with the likes of Poor Things and I, Tonya, showing that the streamers’ imprimatur hasn’t scared off theatrical audiences.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Although Down was not the victim, the case definitely scared her family.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Synagogues canceled Sabbath prayers, while terrified Jewish citizens were warned to conceal skullcaps and flee home.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Word spread across the city that the Taliban had kill lists of Afghan women activists, and hundreds of terrified women went into hiding.
    — Azadeh Moaveni, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Surveillance footage & evidence Police reviewed surveillance footage in the area, which showed the two gunshot victims walking, then appear startled, according to court records.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • For trick-or-treating, the department warned that small children may be afraid of dogs, while dogs themselves may be afraid of all the commotion with gaggles of kids coming to the door.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Students reported feeling threatened or afraid to be on campus.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Gomez, 67, recalled, watching as responding officers pulled a horrified boy from the car.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Greg O'Neill, 63, was swimming at Sorrento Beach in the northern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia on Friday when the attack happened in front of horrified beachgoers.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Many attendees in the chambers appeared shocked and confused at the proposal for the new ordinance.
    — Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The first thing a newborn baby touches upon entering the world is cloth—a towel or blanket wrapped around its shocked little body.
    — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Some of the world’s leading financiers are sounding increasingly alarmed about an AI bubble.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • People who have a very high panic threshold nonetheless feel very alarmed by what’s happened.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Terrorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorized. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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