as in frightens
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
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Recent Examples of terrorizes
The movie, starring Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver and Miles Teller, follows two brothers who pursue the American Dream but get entangled in a dangerous Russian mafia scheme that terrorizes their family.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 May 2026
There’s folklore about a witch in the woods who terrorizes travelers, and a few creepy figurines to go along with the story.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Daisy hopes that this special moment will redeem the interior’s mistakes — the panty liner, the toilet paper shortage, the delay on the champagne — and Jenna works hard at the sundeck set-up while Mike terrorizes her, cracking unfunny jokes about her decorations and generally being unhelpful.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
That’s because Texas terrorizes people from start to finish with its tenacious, arm-waving, in-your-face defense that completely unsettles opponents and takes them out of their offense.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
When a new string of killings terrorizes their community, the three women decide to get to work to catch the culprit.
—Jessica Moore, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Continue reading … SOPHISTICATED SCHEME — South American theft ring allegedly terrorizes 60+ Texas mansions with signal jammers.
—FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Crucially, this practice terrorizes broader society.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
As the Grabber terrorizes those on the ice (and tries to choke out Finn), Gwen (in her dream state) dives into the water in search of the missing boys.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 May 2026
There’s folklore about a witch in the woods who terrorizes travelers, and a few creepy figurines to go along with the story.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Daisy hopes that this special moment will redeem the interior’s mistakes — the panty liner, the toilet paper shortage, the delay on the champagne — and Jenna works hard at the sundeck set-up while Mike terrorizes her, cracking unfunny jokes about her decorations and generally being unhelpful.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
That’s because Texas terrorizes people from start to finish with its tenacious, arm-waving, in-your-face defense that completely unsettles opponents and takes them out of their offense.
—Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
When a new string of killings terrorizes their community, the three women decide to get to work to catch the culprit.
—Jessica Moore, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Continue reading … SOPHISTICATED SCHEME — South American theft ring allegedly terrorizes 60+ Texas mansions with signal jammers.
—FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Crucially, this practice terrorizes broader society.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
As the Grabber terrorizes those on the ice (and tries to choke out Finn), Gwen (in her dream state) dives into the water in search of the missing boys.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorizes
Verb
-
The piercing sunlight frightens her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Like the 1987 Kurt Vonnegut novel from which the restaurant took its name, Bluebeard encourages guests to drop their guard, surround themselves with other people and try something that frightens them a little.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even horror shows are written from a place of what scares the author the most, and most sci-fi shows are grounded in human truth.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
-
Gather five of the most relevant comedians working today and ask what scares them most, and the answers vary.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Aubry Bracco is the kind of player who terrifies a certain (male) demographic of Survivor alumni.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 Feb. 2026
-
What terrifies Iran’s theocrats the most, the fear that eclipses all their fears, is the ability of the people at large to clearly see the essential realities of the present regime.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At this point, Dick startles the boy by interrupting his story to ask where the pillars are now.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
17 Nov. 2025
-
Sugar startles easily, flinches at sudden movements and panics when left alone.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorizes. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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