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
On Wednesday, March 28, former infectious disease doctor Amy Cohen, 36, of Narberth, was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison after pleading guilty to arson, terroristic threats with the intent to terrorize another and other crimes, according to online court records.
—
Kc Baker, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Seattle Mariners: 3-homer game in Seattle Last: Edgar Martinez, May 18, 1999
Less than two months after Edgar Martinez terrorized the Twins at the cozy Kingdome — with dingers to right, left and center — the Mariners moved to an open-air jewel box then known as Safeco Field.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Not long afterward, he got terrorized by Rutger Hauer in The Hitcher (1986), which has become a cult classic.
—Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Following a mysterious suicide of one of its students, a small town high school is terrorized by a website that seems to know all their intimate secrets.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Kc Baker, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Seattle Mariners: 3-homer game in Seattle Last: Edgar Martinez, May 18, 1999
Less than two months after Edgar Martinez terrorized the Twins at the cozy Kingdome — with dingers to right, left and center — the Mariners moved to an open-air jewel box then known as Safeco Field.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Not long afterward, he got terrorized by Rutger Hauer in The Hitcher (1986), which has become a cult classic.
—Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Following a mysterious suicide of one of its students, a small town high school is terrorized by a website that seems to know all their intimate secrets.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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For the most part, yes, although children ages 8 and younger might be frightened by some of the action sequences.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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Despite these protections on paper, permanent residents and visa-holders have been frightened by the speed and ferocity of the Trump administration’s crackdown and its bulldozing of due process rights, said Neil A. Weinrib, an immigration attorney for more than four decades.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As part of their efforts, the duo are trained to simply scare the animals off and run five to seven miles daily, rain or shine.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Ant scare Anthony Edwards finished with a team-high 28 points on an efficient 10-for-15 shooting from the field.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Robbins’ parents were terrified that the school was using the laptop to spy on their son and other students (including their daughter Paige).—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
8 Apr. 2025
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The thought of dying without finding out what happened to her son terrifies Petrone.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One of the movie’s scenes — startling for its frankness but also its visual beauty — finds the men reclined in the dark of the mine.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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The investigations left some school leaders startled and confused, wondering what prompted the inquiries.—
Cheyanne Mumphrey,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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