terrorize

verb

ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz How to pronounce terrorize (audio)
terrorized; terrorizing

transitive verb

1
: to fill with terror or anxiety : scare
2
: to coerce by threat or violence
terrorization noun

Examples of terrorize in a Sentence

As a child she terrorized her younger siblings. She was terrorized by nightmares. Employees were terrorized into accepting abysmal working conditions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That's not good customer service and they should not be allowed to terrorize passengers who paid to fly their pet legally in an under-seat carrier. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Lafferty pins the blame on the rash of killings that terrorized the Bay Area in the ‘70s on a certain someone. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025 The trial of three men who prosecutors say facilitated a drugging and robbery scheme that terrorized New York City’s gay bars and led to two deaths began Wednesday in a downtown Manhattan courtroom. Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025 Leo: Francis Francis is the oldest of the Wilkerson brothers and advises his siblings on ways to terrorize their family. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for terrorize 

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrorize was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near terrorize

Cite this Entry

“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorize. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

terrorize

verb
ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz How to pronounce terrorize (audio)
terrorized; terrorizing
1
: to fill with terror
2
: to force by threat or violence
terrorization noun

Legal Definition

terrorize

transitive verb
ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz How to pronounce terrorize (audio)
terrorized; terrorizing
: to inflict terror upon
terrorization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on terrorize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!