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.
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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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Miller, of course, is aware that Trump’s intention, always, is to shock, to play the madman, and thus frighten his rivals and alter the terms of the debate.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
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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
Verb
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Fearful Tesla drivers are asking Tesla to implement new tech features in the vehicle to scare off protesters, Fortune reports.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
21 Mar. 2025
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Sea cucumbers can eject part of their guts out of their mouth to scare off predators.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Since its debut in 2012, the NBC procedural drama has released 13 seasons featuring its ensemble of dedicated firefighters, paramedics and rescue personnel who work to save the city’s residents from terrifying life-or-death situations.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Charli adds as the woman’s face subtly transforms from patient to terrified.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
26 Mar. 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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Advertisement The investigations left some school leaders startled and confused, wondering what prompted the inquiries.—
TIME,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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