as in to frighten
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
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Recent Examples of terrorize
While there have been multiple iterations of the KKK, in the 1960s, Klans throughout the country were responding to the Civil Rights Movement and desegregation by terrorizing Black activists and their allies.
—
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
For a survivor who has been repeatedly and continuously terrorized, the perception of being in mortal danger does not come into focus in a single, dramatic moment.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Jack O’Connell, Lola Kirke and Peter Dreimanis — the actors who terrorized the juke joint as bloodthirsty vampires in the movie — also snaked their way onto the stage.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
In war, the V-2 terrorized Britain and its allies.
—Michael Carrafiello, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
For a survivor who has been repeatedly and continuously terrorized, the perception of being in mortal danger does not come into focus in a single, dramatic moment.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Jack O’Connell, Lola Kirke and Peter Dreimanis — the actors who terrorized the juke joint as bloodthirsty vampires in the movie — also snaked their way onto the stage.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
In war, the V-2 terrorized Britain and its allies.
—Michael Carrafiello, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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Some frighten people, while others delight them.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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The marsupial escaped from Sunshine Farm in Necedah, a village about 90 miles away from Madison, on March 25, after being frightened by barking dogs, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bossche says the encounter with the rattler hasn't scared her off the trails for good.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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The outlet reported that, in the other scenario, guides and hotel staff, according to the CIB probe, have been coached to scare trekkers at high altitude, where altitude sickness can occur.—
Alex Nitzberg,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Residents of Tehran, the Iranian capital, say they are exhausted by the bombs that have battered their city on a daily basis and terrified of the security checkpoints that have popped up looking for spies.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
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Since his detainment, Maria said that she's been terrified of leaving the home.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This is a novel about Jewish bodies and how people respond to them, the toll of obsession, and the conflicting currents of desire and unease that shake and startle a deep romantic fixation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
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Kevin Uribe, another employee, said the sound of the collapse initially startled him.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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