as in frightens
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 terrorizes
The sibling filmmaking duo spent most of the 2010s making a colossal two-part movie adaptation of King’s 1,138-page horror opus about a shapeshifting clown who terrorizes the small town of Derry, Maine.
—
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
In the movie, Affleck plays Shannon, a cruel store manager who terrorizes the people who shop at the mall.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Having him in the lineup ahead of Schwarber could create a duo that terrorizes opposing teams for years to come.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, a serial killer terrorizes the city.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
The enemy terrorizes and kills our people across the country every day.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
Linda Cardellini, Raymond Cruz and Patricia Velasquez star in the film, where a haunted spirit, the La Llorona (Marisol Ramirez), with a tragic past terrorizes a family in 1970s Los Angeles.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Continue reading … MASK OFF – Scathing report reveals Dem firebrand terrorizes staff and doesn't come to work.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
In the movie, Affleck plays Shannon, a cruel store manager who terrorizes the people who shop at the mall.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Having him in the lineup ahead of Schwarber could create a duo that terrorizes opposing teams for years to come.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, a serial killer terrorizes the city.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
The enemy terrorizes and kills our people across the country every day.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
Linda Cardellini, Raymond Cruz and Patricia Velasquez star in the film, where a haunted spirit, the La Llorona (Marisol Ramirez), with a tragic past terrorizes a family in 1970s Los Angeles.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Continue reading … MASK OFF – Scathing report reveals Dem firebrand terrorizes staff and doesn't come to work.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorizes
Verb
-
Within my book, one of the things that frightens me most is the fact that with censorship, there’s often not a clear red line, right?—
Fiction Non Fiction
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
-
What specifically frightens you?—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That’s something that scares me a little bit about not just theater, but people giving any opinions about any business.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
-
From speculating that what scares people the most is anything natural (which can’t be emulated) to advising never listen to a designer, especially a man designer, Jacobs is direct.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While early allergen introduction is not without complexities, the measurable reduction in peanut allergies—once the most common pediatric food allergy and one that terrifies allergy parents—signals a milestone in preventive care.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Jesus may haunt Wendell, but Wendell terrifies Lee.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the dolphin gets closer to the glass, the Chihuahua lets out a bark that startles the dolphin, who then starts mimicking the dog's mouth movements in a sort of chasing game across species.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorizes. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share