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
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Recent Examples of terrorized
Mark Price
january 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
Their blue line is huge and imposing with Radim Mrtka (BUF), Max Psenicka (UTA) and particularly Jiricek, who terrorized opponents all tournament, while the smaller Galvas competed well while making a ton of plays.
—Corey Pronman, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
His release of Tren de Aragua gang members from VZ prisons terrorized American communities & killed my fellow Texans.
—Briauna Brown, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Jenna’s sister Kristil Krug was stalked, terrorized and murdered by Kristil’s husband, who masqueraded as an ex-boyfriend.
—Josh Mankiewicz, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Grinch was a name given to him by Whoville, a town that terrorized him.
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
The Zodiac Killer is a mass murderer who terrorized the city of San Francisco from 1968 to 1970.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Antisemitic attacks surged in the two years since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, when militants terrorized Israelis in cross-border raids, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
Englund sat down with Newsweek to discuss the film collection release, along with the enduring legacy of his time as the horror icon who has terrorized dreams for over 40 years.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Court documents report the girl was terrorized when 44-year-old Summers wrapped both arms around her and refused to let go.
—Mark Price
january 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
Their blue line is huge and imposing with Radim Mrtka (BUF), Max Psenicka (UTA) and particularly Jiricek, who terrorized opponents all tournament, while the smaller Galvas competed well while making a ton of plays.
—Corey Pronman, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
His release of Tren de Aragua gang members from VZ prisons terrorized American communities & killed my fellow Texans.
—Briauna Brown, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Jenna’s sister Kristil Krug was stalked, terrorized and murdered by Kristil’s husband, who masqueraded as an ex-boyfriend.
—Josh Mankiewicz, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Grinch was a name given to him by Whoville, a town that terrorized him.
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
The Zodiac Killer is a mass murderer who terrorized the city of San Francisco from 1968 to 1970.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Antisemitic attacks surged in the two years since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, when militants terrorized Israelis in cross-border raids, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
Englund sat down with Newsweek to discuss the film collection release, along with the enduring legacy of his time as the horror icon who has terrorized dreams for over 40 years.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorized
Adjective
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Nearly a week later, Scott and Kodi Allred, a couple traveling to visit their son at the University of Northern Colorado, saw the frightened black dachshund darting along the same stretch of road near Elk Mountain.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sometimes, a frightened reaction is inexplicable.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What really scared me was telling my audience.—
SELF Staff,
SELF,
9 Jan. 2026
-
That caption scared me for a minute.—
Stacy Lambe,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Understandably terrified, Scott-Miller closed the store to protect her and her family’s safety and peace of mind.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2026
-
When workers are terrified, turnover rises, productivity falls and long-term investment stalls.—
Anabel Mendoza,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities in southern Colorado are investigating after a sudden explosion damaged a building and startled nearby residents.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Leibfried was responding to a report of a domestic disturbance in the building and was startled by a loud bang that emanated from the closed door of an apartment.—
Peter Passi,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The opposition ranged from clinical and code-based to angry and afraid.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Jan. 2026
-
From animal prints to floral patterns and everything in between, don’t be afraid to let loose and have fun with patterns in your space.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Yang plays Kieran Culkin’s stand-in, his arms nightmarishly chainsawed off as Ashley Padilla’s Catherine O’Hara equivalent lets out a series of horrified shrieks.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
20 Dec. 2025
-
Then her old, extremely offensive X posts resurfaced—and the buzz turned to horrified backlash.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The mom of two could be seen typing and looking animatedly at her screen, appearing shocked.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Fans on social media are mostly excited (and a little shocked) at this latest bakery item.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Experts are especially alarmed that the CDC is investigating splitting up the MMR vaccine, which protects kids against measles, mumps and rubella in one shot.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Phil, Myrtle’s son, who lived out of state, became alarmed when a concerned neighbor later notified him that his mother had vanished.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorized. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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