as in scaring
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
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Recent Examples of terrorizing
But surely in addition to terrorizing the locals for centuries while Warren was hanging out in a coffin, the island looked toward other solutions for its bloodlust.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 June 2026
So maybe a side trip to Joel and Tommy terrorizing the countryside.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
That's not to say there's nothing worth redeeming in this version of the story of a criminal stalking and terrorizing the lawyer who once defended him.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
According to Sacramento County Jail records, Pounds was booked into jail for felony terrorizing on private property and a misdemeanor use of force/threat to interfere with the exercise of a civil right.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 3 June 2026
According to the biblical account in 1 Samuel 17, Goliath was a giant terrorizing Israel and King Saul’s entire army.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 23 May 2026
Franck may have good reasons to be terrorizing Nora’s family, but explaining them away only flattens his character as the titular party plays out like your average hostage scenario, with a few negligible tweaks and flourishes.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 May 2026
Trump is terrorizing our immigrant communities.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The animal begins wrecking the fields and terrorizing the people.
—Perin Gürel, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 June 2026
So maybe a side trip to Joel and Tommy terrorizing the countryside.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
That's not to say there's nothing worth redeeming in this version of the story of a criminal stalking and terrorizing the lawyer who once defended him.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
According to Sacramento County Jail records, Pounds was booked into jail for felony terrorizing on private property and a misdemeanor use of force/threat to interfere with the exercise of a civil right.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 3 June 2026
According to the biblical account in 1 Samuel 17, Goliath was a giant terrorizing Israel and King Saul’s entire army.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 23 May 2026
Franck may have good reasons to be terrorizing Nora’s family, but explaining them away only flattens his character as the titular party plays out like your average hostage scenario, with a few negligible tweaks and flourishes.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 May 2026
Trump is terrorizing our immigrant communities.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The animal begins wrecking the fields and terrorizing the people.
—Perin Gürel, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorizing
Verb
-
But she was saved by three bystanders who yelled out, scaring him off and chasing him through the park, sources said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
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Predator decoys that are in constant motion may be most effective at scaring birds.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
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This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon is breathtaking and also terrifying with a 4-year-old along.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
Facing the endless Cylon onslaught in the void of space is terrifying even in 2D battles, but many of Scattered Hopes' gut punches happen during unexpected narrative events or tough choices that doom entire ship populations.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrorizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorizing. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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