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
From at least 1985 to 2005, the Latin Kings terrorized Milwaukee's south side through shootings, beatings, kidnappings, arson, drug dealing and other crimes, according to court documents.
—
Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Then there’s a trip back to Derry (because people haven’t learned to just go live anywhere else in Maine) so Pennywise can terrorize a whole new crop of kids, and another chapter of Anne Rice’s television universe premieres on AMC+.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
You're not allowed to mentally terrorize someone.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Stack’s Lilly particularly stands out as a young girl still terrorized by the traumatic loss of her father, but desperate to save her friends from experiencing similar kinds of anguish.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Then there’s a trip back to Derry (because people haven’t learned to just go live anywhere else in Maine) so Pennywise can terrorize a whole new crop of kids, and another chapter of Anne Rice’s television universe premieres on AMC+.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
You're not allowed to mentally terrorize someone.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Stack’s Lilly particularly stands out as a young girl still terrorized by the traumatic loss of her father, but desperate to save her friends from experiencing similar kinds of anguish.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorize
Verb
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When the Maitlands' attempts to frighten the Deetzes away fail miserably, Barbara and Adam turn to the mysterious and mischievous Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to rid them of the living.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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Around 100 pairs were found abandoned on the roof, perhaps due to the thieves being frightened away, Sheriff John Budensiek said at the news conference.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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Actors dressed as sadistic guards and disturbed prisoners, jump-scaring visitors from the prison cells.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While film critics typically lead with the physical transformation that Sweeney pulled off, equally impressive is her ability to delve into the psyche of a woman who was fearless in the ring but rightfully terrified of the man closest to her.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
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And a chance encounter with ICE in August landed Barojas Solano in detention for six weeks, upending his legal process and leaving them terrified that he could be detained again.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorize. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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