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
From March 2022 and continuing through at least May 2022, Spofford allegedly devised a scheme to harass and terrorize a reporter employed by New Hampshire Public Radio, her immediate family members and a senior editor at NHPR in retaliation for the outlet’s reporting, officials said.
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Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 31 May 2025
The abominable snowman terrorized the North Pole with his size and sheer power, but by the end of the show, Santa Claus and the elves found a way to turn perceived negatives into actual positives by utilizing the snowman’s height to place a star at the top of the Christmas tree.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
Private military contractor Erik Prince, the former Navy SEAL and founder of Blackwater Worldwide, is working with the Haitian government to repel the gangs terrorizing the Caribbean nation.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
Though overlong at times, the nine-episode series acts like a complex maze, unfurling the mystery behind the missing person, the web of lies surrounding the shooting that injured and emotionally scarred Carl and who is terrorizing Merritt.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 31 May 2025
The abominable snowman terrorized the North Pole with his size and sheer power, but by the end of the show, Santa Claus and the elves found a way to turn perceived negatives into actual positives by utilizing the snowman’s height to place a star at the top of the Christmas tree.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
Private military contractor Erik Prince, the former Navy SEAL and founder of Blackwater Worldwide, is working with the Haitian government to repel the gangs terrorizing the Caribbean nation.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
Though overlong at times, the nine-episode series acts like a complex maze, unfurling the mystery behind the missing person, the web of lies surrounding the shooting that injured and emotionally scarred Carl and who is terrorizing Merritt.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Verb
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When neighbors are afraid to call the police, when workers fear going to their jobs, and when children are terrified their parents won’t come home — that’s not safety.—
Andrew Nietor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
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The report's analysis of teaching capabilities reveals why educators are feeling simultaneously excited and terrified about AI's expanding role in classrooms.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Part of what startled Fitzgerald’s generation about their studio experience was how near at hand the real bad guys could be.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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The warning comes about two weeks after a Florida woman was killed when her canoe startled an 11-foot alligator at Lake Kissimmee, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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