terrorize

verb

ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz How to pronounce terrorize (audio)
terrorized; terrorizing

transitive verb

1
: to fill with terror or anxiety : scare
2
: to coerce by threat or violence
terrorization noun

Examples of terrorize in a Sentence

As a child she terrorized her younger siblings. She was terrorized by nightmares. Employees were terrorized into accepting abysmal working conditions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In director Steve Pink’s sci-fi romp Hot Tub Time Machine, Stan played the typical ’80s bully Blaine, who terrorizes a group of friends (John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson and Clark Duke) who travel back in time to their teen years at a 1986 ski resort. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025 The men repeatedly denied ownership of dogs that had been terrorizing residents of a Kansas City neighborhood long before Culbertson’s death, court records show. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025 But their chemistry begins to curdle as Violet begins being irritated and then terrorized by a series of anonymous drops to her phone. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025 The attacks left one hospitalized, dozens with injuries and one man missing two hats Residents of a small town in the United Kingdom can walk around freely now that a hawk that had been terrorizing them for around a month was finally captured last week. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terrorize

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrorize was in 1823

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Terrorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorize. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

terrorize

verb
ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz How to pronounce terrorize (audio)
terrorized; terrorizing
1
: to fill with terror
2
: to force by threat or violence
terrorization noun

Legal Definition

terrorize

transitive verb
ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz How to pronounce terrorize (audio)
terrorized; terrorizing
: to inflict terror upon
terrorization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on terrorize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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