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
Morrison helped lead the racist white supremacy campaign of 1898 that terrorized Black citizens and led to policies of segregation, The Observer previously reported. Chase Jordan july 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026 The 1990s were a period of instability across the country, including in Goma, which saw periods of widespread looting that started with mutinous security forces and during which soldiers terrorized the population. Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 July 2026 The river once terrorized Angelenos; its unconstrained flow was prone to flooding until most of its 51 miles were lined with concrete starting in the 1940s. Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 South Korean director Na Hong-jin wowed audiences in Cannes with hi-octane sci-fi thriller Hope in which a remote community, situated on the edge of Korean Demilitarized Zone, is terrorized by the arrival of aliens. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026 Ike terrorized local teams as a Gonzaga standout, and started all three games for the Warriors at the California Classic while looking strong around the rim. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorized
Adjective
  • Witnesses are often too frightened of the cartels to testify in court.
    Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • When Odysseus’ men arrive at Circe’s home, hungry, asking to be fed, Circe seems frightened — understandably so.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • But coyotes—anxious, clumsy, and scared to try new things—lagged far behind their mesopredator cousins.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
  • Running into the real Santosh again amid that backdrop, Juyal asked him if the danger scared him.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Part of his charm here included playing the stalwart father figure to two terrified kids — someone a child could trust to stick around and keep watch all night when the dinosaurs came chomping.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Stone Mountain, Georgia — Jean Shifrin was hiking up a steep mountain trail on the Fourth of July when she was startled by something approaching her from behind.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • Exactly two years ago tomorrow, an unexpected visitor startled a homeowner in Hillsborough, New Jersey.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 July 2026
Adjective
  • Prosecutors said all three women knew Lux by name and appearance, and one reported more than 50 encounters that authorities said escalated over time, eventually leaving employees afraid to work around him.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
  • But defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and LBs coach Shaun Dion Hamilton aren’t afraid to play rookies.
    Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 22 July 2026
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
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
Adjective
  • The Rams were sufficiently alarmed to put the brakes on a contract extension that could have paid Nacua, 25, up to $160 million over four years.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
  • Some residents were alarmed about a potential strain on the water supply.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Terrorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorized. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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