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.
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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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On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Verb
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When neighbors are afraid to call the police, when workers fear going to their jobs, and when children are terrified their parents won’t come home — that’s not safety.—
Andrew Nietor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
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He was terrified of a race under the current lines.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 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 10 Jun. 2025.
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