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
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
-
More than 25,000 onlookers came to see the whale over the next few days, but when a thunderstorm erupted on July 5, the whale became frightened.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
Many people may be intrinsically frightened of robots.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.—
Benedict Cosgrove,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
There’s people that are getting into trouble because the powers that be are scared, too.—
Mario Koran,
jsonline.com,
12 July 2025
-
Most notable in the repeat of Man of Steel elements and themes, there’s the Kryptonian message threatening earth, which makes the public scared, so Superman turns himself in to government authorities.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
If getting this set up on your own sounds daunting, don’t be afraid to ask for help, McCoy says.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
-
Although Indiana has not experienced an immigration raid at this scale, community leaders shared that many in migrant communities are afraid that they may potentially be picked up off the street and deported, whether rightfully or not.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Regardless, artists such as Kristin Chenoweth and Rachel Zegler are shocked.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
18 July 2025
-
The chance rediscovery of the little spotted kiwi, not seen on the mainland since 1978 both shocked and delighted conservationists.—
Lauren Liebhaber
July 16,
Miami Herald,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
In May 2020, Sacramento, California, resident Alfonso Nguyen was alarmed to find two Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies at his door, accusing him of illegally growing cannabis and demanding entry into his home.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
22 July 2025
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Both are alarmed that their younger counterparts have begun receiving similar threatening notes one year after their own roadside tragedy, and yet another person or persons rocking a rain slicker and one long, nasty hook are doling out some karmic payback.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorized. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.
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