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
That combination would terrorize opponents for 40 minutes at the rim and on the boards.
—
Jim Root, New York Times, 2 May 2025
My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who stalk and terrorize others, ensuring they are held accountable.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 8 May 2025
As such, Valerie and Peter plot to run away together, but their plans are thwarted when her older sister is killed by a werewolf that has terrorized the village.
—Francesca Gariano, People.com, 1 May 2025
Trial begins Monday for Carlos Reales Dominguez, the former UC Davis student held on murder and attempted murder charges in the deadly stabbing spree that terrorized the college town two years ago this week.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Jim Root, New York Times, 2 May 2025
My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who stalk and terrorize others, ensuring they are held accountable.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 8 May 2025
As such, Valerie and Peter plot to run away together, but their plans are thwarted when her older sister is killed by a werewolf that has terrorized the village.
—Francesca Gariano, People.com, 1 May 2025
Trial begins Monday for Carlos Reales Dominguez, the former UC Davis student held on murder and attempted murder charges in the deadly stabbing spree that terrorized the college town two years ago this week.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 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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In fact, she was terrified of public speaking for much of her career.—
Carmine Gallo,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Sea pens can produce a bioluminescent glow when disturbed, flashing a greenish light to startle predators such as sea stars and nudibranchs.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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Long time viewers of 60 Minutes are understandably startled by these high level fireworks.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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