as in to frighten
to strike with fear
thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrorize
Written and directed by Worley, Sketch stars Tony Hale, D’Arcy Carden, Bianca Belle and Kue Lawrence in the story of a single dad who is swept up in an insane adventure when his daughter’s comically dark drawings come to life and terrorize their small town.
—
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
As The Athletic details, Cornett has been harassed and terrorized, and her privacy repeatedly invaded, over the last five weeks.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Apr. 2025
After being released in 2021, Reed came back with a vengeance and terrorized the main roster with moves most big men wouldn't even attempt.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
The woman played dead as gunmen terrorized, robbed, and killed her Alawite kin in their village in western Syria.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
As The Athletic details, Cornett has been harassed and terrorized, and her privacy repeatedly invaded, over the last five weeks.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Apr. 2025
After being released in 2021, Reed came back with a vengeance and terrorized the main roster with moves most big men wouldn't even attempt.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
The woman played dead as gunmen terrorized, robbed, and killed her Alawite kin in their village in western Syria.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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Two years ago, several small-business owners testified to a legislative committee that Americans with Disabilities Act plaintiffs’ lawyers filed spurious complaints, alleging what appeared to be a random list of violations in an attempt to frighten and intimidate the business owner.—
Mark Hillman,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2025
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This has hallmarks of emotional abuse – non-physical behaviors meant to isolate, control and frighten.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Missouri product is a solid route-runner with sure hands, but there are some off-field concerns that could scare teams away.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
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As the Trump administration arbitrarily revokes and denies student visas, and xenophobic rhetoric scares away potential foreigners, agencies specializing in recruiting students from abroad are facing a sharp downturn.—
Emma Whitford,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The house that the Americans strategically position themselves in is home to two families; there are occasional insert shots of family photos and trinkets, and at several points these families are shown cowering, terrified by what’s happening around them.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2025
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Addie is gripping onto her seat completely terrified.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In a now-viral video from Stacy Goss, the family was startled by the sight of a huge bald eagle gawking at them, but more concerningly, at their dog Gnocchi.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Area residents might remember similar sights of helicopters in 2023, when the sounds of gunfire and explosions from military training startled some in the Kansas City metro.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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