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
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
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
-
James Cook is a great running back and certainly helps open up the passing game, and while the Bills have a decent tight end room and some average pass catchers, there isn't one wide receiver on the roster who scares teams.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
And yet, even though not having children is becoming more widely accepted and understood in our society, there’s something about a woman who has never been married that still confuses and scares people.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
23 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 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share