terrorized 1 of 2

adjective

as in frightened
filled with fear or dread the terrorized victims didn't know where to run during the bombing raid

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

terrorized

2 of 2

verb

past tense of terrorize
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

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
This horror reimagining stars Jack Reynor as journalist Charlie Cannon and Laia Costa as his wife, Larissa, whose family is terrorized after their long-missing daughter, Katie (played by Natalie Grace), returns home possessed by an ancient demon. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Gangbangers as young as 14 terrorized a Bronx neighborhood for months with shootouts targeting rivals from a local housing project while often wounding innocent bystanders, law enforcement officials said Monday. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 30 June 2026 Alberto Fujimori, who governed Peru from 1990 to 2000, is credited by supporters with rescuing the country from economic collapse, taming hyperinflation and defeating the brutal Maoist Shining Path insurgency, which had terrorized Peru for years. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 Their support for terrorist proxies has to end, that has terrorized the entire Middle East, from the Houthis to Hezbollah to Hamas, to the militias in Iraq that have killed American soldiers, my friends and colleagues and the veterans for many decades. — ABC News, 14 June 2026 Federal prosecutors say the violent Kiccdoe street gang that terrorized Arlington has effectively been dismantled, with 21 members and associates now convicted and one of its most notorious gunmen sentenced to life in prison. — Doug Myers, CBS News, 6 June 2026 In the film, actress Midori Francis plays Hana, a medical student who becomes terrorized by a sinister force after partaking in the latest dieting fad — eating human ashes. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026 As the story goes, in the 17th century the dragon nightly terrorized Palma, devouring residents until sword-wielding knight Bartomeu Coch slew it, named it and gifted the dead monster to his fiancée, Na Coca Rossello. — Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026 The scene recalled the gruesome rampages of the RSF’s forebears, the janjaweed militias who terrorized Sudan’s Darfur region a generation ago. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorized
  1. frightened
  2. scared
  3. terrified
  4. startled
  5. afraid
  6. horrified
  7. shocked
  8. alarmed
Adjective
  • The bear, seemingly frightened, quickly turns away from the boy and continues running, sliding under a boat parked in the driveway.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • In May, a frightened horse rammed into another carriage, causing the vehicle to flip over, injuring the driver.
    — ANDREA SACHS THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026
Definition of frightened
Verb
  • Running into the real Santosh again amid that backdrop, Juyal asked him if the danger scared him.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 July 2026
  • Jefferies names it as a top pick, and the margin dip that scared investors is a temporary cost of its Armis acquisition that management expects to reverse in 2027.
    — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • On the 14th floor, three of them broke into Ojeda’s apartment, handcuffed him in front of his terrified wife and son, and dragged him out, according to court documents and security video.
    — Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 10 July 2026
  • Outrage continues to grow after a drone was reported stalking a terrified wild mustang on North Carolina’s northern Outer Banks.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
Definition of terrified
Verb
  • The owner was reportedly startled and dropped the leash before the two animals fought, DEEP officials said.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
  • Pochettino’s sources of American sports culture inspiration There were some aspects of American culture, and specifically American sports culture, that clearly startled Pochettino.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of startled
Adjective
  • Sometimes in big matches, being afraid of taking a risk is the riskiest strategy of all.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Pay attention to the wash and cut, and don’t be afraid to ditch your plain blue jeans for bolder alternatives.
    — India Roby, Glamour, 15 July 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • In one early scene, a horrified Pam stares into her bathroom mirror, covered head to toe in blood.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
  • The first police officer on the scene quickly ran back to the station for help, while neighbors calmed the horrified Lizzie.
    — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 June 2026
Definition of horrified
Adjective
  • The first season ended with a big cliffhanger, in which Cooper emerged from a cocoon after a transformation to a shocked reaction though his appearance was not revealed.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 July 2026
  • In Atlanta last week, Mohamed Salah and his Egypt team-mates walked out of the stadium in shocked silence.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • Elsewhere alarmed Palestinian farmers—witnessing the growing trench tearing them away from their lands—surround the vehicles.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
  • But city officials don’t seem alarmed, saying that the project’s size was bound to change, and that the project is still aligned with the city code.
    — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Definition of alarmed

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Cite this Entry

“Terrorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorized. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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