terrorize

1 of 2

verb

ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz 

terrorized; terrorizing

transitive verb

1

: to fill with terror or anxiety : scare

2

: to coerce by threat or violence

terrorization

ˌter-ər-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

terrorization

2 of 2

noun

ter·​ror·​iza·​tion

variants also British terrorisation

ˌterərə̇ˈzāshən, 

-erəˌrīˈz-

plural -s

: the act or process of terrorizing

Synonyms of terrorize

Verb

• frighten
• scare
• terrify
• startle

Examples of terrorize in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

The onslaught aims to terrorize civilians, officials and analysts say, and break their will to resist 4½ years after Russia’s full-scale invasion. — Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Since the beginning of July, Russian drones and missiles have been terrorizing Kyiv with exceptional intensity. — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

Many of them, including Ned and his childhood friend and rival, Roland, are scarred by their time as youth players, haunted by memories of the sadistic coaches and cruel, competitive fathers who terrorized them both on and off the court. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

The random shooting spree killed 10 people and terrorized the entire Washington, DC, area for three weeks. — USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1869, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for terrorize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

terrorize

verb

ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz 

terrorized; terrorizing

1

: to fill with terror

2

: to force by threat or violence

terrorization

ˌter-ər-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Legal Definition

terrorize

transitive verb

ter·​ror·​ize ˈter-ər-ˌīz 

terrorized; terrorizing

: to inflict terror upon

terrorization

ˌter-ər-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun