as in scaring
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of terrorizing
The plot revolves around the original gang fighting new monsters and unraveling a paranormal mystery terrorizing their town.
—
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
But the idea of Maduro as the head of a criminal enterprise terrorizing the United States has allowed Rubio to repackage military action against Venezuela as an anti-narcotics campaign.
—David Smilde, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Freddy Krueger thrives in this exact space, invading his victims’ sleep while terrorizing their imagination.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The Show Will Address What Motivates Pennywise’s Appearance Fans know Pennywise has been terrorizing the children and families of this small Maine town for decades.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
The year Goldberg-Polin and her family arrived in Israel, the country launched Operation Cast Lead, a massive military operation aimed at halting intensifying Hamas mortar, missile and rocket fire terrorizing southern Israeli communities.
—Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Investigators would soon discover a disturbing truth that Daniel had been impersonating a boyfriend Kristil had as a teenager for months, terrorizing his own family before ultimately killing his wife.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
Each one of those alerts puts millions of lives on hold – part of Russia’s strategy of terrorizing and exhausting Ukraine’s civilian population.
—Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Known for Los Espookys, Fantasmas, and Problemista (along with some of SNL’s funnier and kookier bits of the past few years), Torres feels — kind of like Cole Escola and Chris Fleming — like a cause for hope in our mostly terrorizing present.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
But the idea of Maduro as the head of a criminal enterprise terrorizing the United States has allowed Rubio to repackage military action against Venezuela as an anti-narcotics campaign.
—David Smilde, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Freddy Krueger thrives in this exact space, invading his victims’ sleep while terrorizing their imagination.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The Show Will Address What Motivates Pennywise’s Appearance Fans know Pennywise has been terrorizing the children and families of this small Maine town for decades.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
The year Goldberg-Polin and her family arrived in Israel, the country launched Operation Cast Lead, a massive military operation aimed at halting intensifying Hamas mortar, missile and rocket fire terrorizing southern Israeli communities.
—Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Investigators would soon discover a disturbing truth that Daniel had been impersonating a boyfriend Kristil had as a teenager for months, terrorizing his own family before ultimately killing his wife.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
Each one of those alerts puts millions of lives on hold – part of Russia’s strategy of terrorizing and exhausting Ukraine’s civilian population.
—Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Known for Los Espookys, Fantasmas, and Problemista (along with some of SNL’s funnier and kookier bits of the past few years), Torres feels — kind of like Cole Escola and Chris Fleming — like a cause for hope in our mostly terrorizing present.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorizing
Verb
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More to the point, here are two industries still suffering the effects of high inflation, and two areas where that’s scaring customers away.—
Kelly Evans,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
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Like, scaring kids is important.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
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Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That should already be terrifying enough, regardless of what happens next.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Through twisting corridors and multiple stories, guests encounter terrifying live actors, special effects, and nightmarish monsters.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorizing. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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