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
Over time, Mia came to understand that her birth parents, like other Chinese couples, may have had little choice under the one-child policy, which terrorized families from 1980 until it was lifted, in 2015.
—
Barbara Demick, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
The dance sequence that caps off the report, giving expression to centuries of female trauma and rebellion, takes us into a realm beyond words that likely would have terrorized the anxious men of 1692 Salem.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
While the simple premise recalls certain post-WW2 dramas, in which survivors recognize the Nazi culprits who once terrorized them, the film’s chilling last scene feels like a call to action.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 20 May 2025
As Hackers Attack — Here’s How Netflix hasn’t announced which case the American Manhunt series plans to cover next One thing that comes to mind is the D.C. Sniper attacks of 2002, which involved a widespread and intense manhunt as the perpetrators terrorized the region and evaded capture.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Barbara Demick, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
The dance sequence that caps off the report, giving expression to centuries of female trauma and rebellion, takes us into a realm beyond words that likely would have terrorized the anxious men of 1692 Salem.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
While the simple premise recalls certain post-WW2 dramas, in which survivors recognize the Nazi culprits who once terrorized them, the film’s chilling last scene feels like a call to action.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 20 May 2025
As Hackers Attack — Here’s How Netflix hasn’t announced which case the American Manhunt series plans to cover next One thing that comes to mind is the D.C. Sniper attacks of 2002, which involved a widespread and intense manhunt as the perpetrators terrorized the region and evaded capture.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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By sharing a visual insight into their space, Spencer hopes people won’t be frightened by the unknown.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
22 May 2025
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Meanwhile, in the real world, Netflix’s release strategy continues to frighten and confuse.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
19 May 2025
Verb
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The employee said to not shoot the bear and advised him to call Public Safety to scare it away, officials said, adding that what likely attracted the bear to the man’s home were food items, including cat food and unclean grills.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2025
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This is the second bill DeSantis has signed in Florida on swatting, or making false police reports to scare victims by sending law enforcement to their home.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
21 May 2025
Verb
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He was covered in an oily substance, terrified, and wouldn’t eat.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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But what has terrified Rob Free, the president of the LIRR, the busiest railroad in the country, carrying 75 million passengers a year and running 461 daily trains to Penn, is that operating on just three tubes is a terribly risky prospect.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The device startles seals hanging around salmon run obstacles and drives them away from the buffet.—
Cheryl Katz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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The trailer opens with Kate (Moore) startled by the sudden appearance of her troubled daughter Claire (Sweeney) on her doorstep covered in rain and blood.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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