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
In 2022, a gang of free-roaming macaques reportedly terrorized townspeople in Yamaguchi, Japan, breaking into apartments, messing with crops, and injuring residents with scratches and bites.
—
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025
Little Caesars In this ad for Little Caesars’ Crazy Puffs, actor Eugene Levy is seemingly so astonished after taking a bite that his eyebrows fly off his face and flutter away, terrorizing everyone in their path.
—Angela Yang, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025
The Highland Park obstetrician doesn’t know if there can be any justice after such a heinous act, which left seven dead, four dozen injured and an entire community terrorized and upended.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
The shrieking forest, the rumbling cave, the noxious gas, the appearance of yet another adult Yellowjacket, possibly trying to terrorize or kill Shauna, all of that is great.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025
Little Caesars In this ad for Little Caesars’ Crazy Puffs, actor Eugene Levy is seemingly so astonished after taking a bite that his eyebrows fly off his face and flutter away, terrorizing everyone in their path.
—Angela Yang, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025
The Highland Park obstetrician doesn’t know if there can be any justice after such a heinous act, which left seven dead, four dozen injured and an entire community terrorized and upended.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
The shrieking forest, the rumbling cave, the noxious gas, the appearance of yet another adult Yellowjacket, possibly trying to terrorize or kill Shauna, all of that is great.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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Seeing those kinds of numbers in headlines may have started to frighten U.S. consumers, data shows.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2025
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While full autonomy may frighten many, most drivers do still want automakers to focus on safety tech.—
John Koetsier,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Higher prices and looming economic uncertainty could scare off consumers, experts previously told ABC News.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2025
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Mozer yelled out of his apartment window, scaring Moseley off.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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No matter what your views are on Israel & Palestine, we should all be terrified of a government incarcerating its residents for their political opinions.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Carolina Waterfowl Rescue has a history of rescuing snakes from predicaments in the region, including the venomous species that seem to terrify the public.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Lilian, startled, looked around at the door, and that made the sisters laugh: Lilian, too, was tricked, just like the hedgehog.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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Homelessness and trauma can cause people to startle reflexively when touched, Greig says, part of the reason the site’s staff offers hugs to clients and encourages them to call family.—
Ian Willms,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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