as in scaring
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 terrorizing
The agency has called for greater cooperation with local authorities amid confrontations between federal officers and agitators in Minnesota, where local officials have accused ICE of terrorizing neighborhoods.
—
Louis Casiano , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Like many at the ride, Chance Gordon, 28, a Riverwest resident, believes ICE and other federal agents have gone too far and are terrorizing citizens.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 31 Jan. 2026
As a response to ICE agents terrorizing Minnesota, and America, many people (including plenty of celebrities) are calling for a nationwide shutdown and protests today.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Interior enforcement can have real consequences without terrorizing entire neighborhoods or requiring a federal agency that operates like a violent, masked occupying force.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Masked men were terrorizing an entire city, operating with impunity.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
The defense responded by terrorizing quarterback Tony Eason, who was replaced after completing none of his six passes.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
This is just one example of federal agents terrorizing people in the city.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Walz and Frey have called for immigration authorities to leave the state, accusing federal officers of terrorizing communities and creating chaos.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 21 Jan. 2026
Louis Casiano , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Like many at the ride, Chance Gordon, 28, a Riverwest resident, believes ICE and other federal agents have gone too far and are terrorizing citizens.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 31 Jan. 2026
As a response to ICE agents terrorizing Minnesota, and America, many people (including plenty of celebrities) are calling for a nationwide shutdown and protests today.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Interior enforcement can have real consequences without terrorizing entire neighborhoods or requiring a federal agency that operates like a violent, masked occupying force.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Masked men were terrorizing an entire city, operating with impunity.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
The defense responded by terrorizing quarterback Tony Eason, who was replaced after completing none of his six passes.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
This is just one example of federal agents terrorizing people in the city.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Walz and Frey have called for immigration authorities to leave the state, accusing federal officers of terrorizing communities and creating chaos.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorizing
Verb
-
According to Bloomberg, analysts are already antsy about increasing prices scaring away customers, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Most of that money would go to compensate ranchers for cattle eaten by wolves and for guard dogs, scaring devices or other means to keep them away from livestock.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Like the strung-up coyotes, the Ghoul typically looks normal from afar but terrifying up close.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
-
That’s terrifying on a whole different level.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrorizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorizing. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
