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
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Similarly, Ethan, increasingly terrorized by it all, must keep his superior, Phil Sarkowski (Dean Norris), at bay, along with other colleagues, in order to keep Nora safe at a major turning point in their relationship.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
For over a year, a serial killer terrorized Los Angeles — until its residents took him down.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
The Syrian civil war, up to last week, was the tedious winnowing process in which the Assad government bombed, killed, and terrorized Syrians into either fleeing the country or submitting to him.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Students and staff at the elementary school have been terrorized by the conduct that Sunrise's operations facilitate.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Steelers receiver George Pickens terrorized the Commanders defense to the tune of a near 100-yard receiving day while journeyman Mike Williams got behind Washington’s secondary to catch a go-ahead touchdown of over 30-plus yards to secure the 28-27 victory.
—Kambui Bomani, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
And Barkley terrorized the Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, rushing for 176 yards on just 17 carries.
—Howard Megdal, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
In the film, three young women separated by decades and thousands of miles are terrorized by the same ethereal threat that nobody, not even them, can properly see.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
After achieving a conviction in a brutal triple homicide that had terrorized his mountain town, Sgt.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Similarly, Ethan, increasingly terrorized by it all, must keep his superior, Phil Sarkowski (Dean Norris), at bay, along with other colleagues, in order to keep Nora safe at a major turning point in their relationship.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
For over a year, a serial killer terrorized Los Angeles — until its residents took him down.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
The Syrian civil war, up to last week, was the tedious winnowing process in which the Assad government bombed, killed, and terrorized Syrians into either fleeing the country or submitting to him.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
Students and staff at the elementary school have been terrorized by the conduct that Sunrise's operations facilitate.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Steelers receiver George Pickens terrorized the Commanders defense to the tune of a near 100-yard receiving day while journeyman Mike Williams got behind Washington’s secondary to catch a go-ahead touchdown of over 30-plus yards to secure the 28-27 victory.
—Kambui Bomani, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
And Barkley terrorized the Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, rushing for 176 yards on just 17 carries.
—Howard Megdal, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
In the film, three young women separated by decades and thousands of miles are terrorized by the same ethereal threat that nobody, not even them, can properly see.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorized
Adjective
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When a deputy arrived, the victim was shaking and frightened, the complaint said.—
Dylan Gentile,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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The next night, her sister Gwen said Selonia became frightened when a relative who was visiting Selonia spotted Jimmy Ray Barnes near her home.—
Vladimir Duthiers, Paul LaRosa,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The movie sees the revival of arch-villain Feathers McGraw, who terrified kids in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
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My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Bears should be hoping other teams are scared off by Campbell’s shorter-than-ideal arms.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
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But much of the problem then was that Europeans were simply not scared enough to do their part.—
Barry R. Posen,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Give it up for the queen of not being afraid to reference or not reference (but mostly reference).—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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If you’re seated at a gate where the next flight doesn’t leave for six hours, don’t be afraid to post up and get comfy.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As a result, the dwarf planet likely has an abundance of highly shocked material, which could be an important target for future sampling missions there.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
24 Apr. 2025
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Dia is shocked when she’s chosen for a highly coveted internship, along with six other teenagers from around the world.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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McCabe, who is in her 50s, has a chronic condition known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), and immediately became alarmed.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
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My community is deeply alarmed at the rise of antisemitism on college campuses, city streets and online since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel.—
Ari Hart,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorized. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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