terrorized 1 of 2

adjective

as in frightened
filled with fear or dread the terrorized victims didn't know where to run during the bombing raid

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

terrorized

2 of 2

verb

past tense of terrorize
as in scared
to strike with fear thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of terrorized
Verb
For decades, Blythe Street gang terrorized Panorama City despite injunctions, beautification projects and millions in investment. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Once inside, Ibarra and his friends terrorized the woman and an unidentified person, holding them at gunpoint and knifepoint, per the report. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Surveillance footage captured the brief window of time when a masked man wearing a creepy Chucky-style Halloween mask terrorized multiple people in downtown Philadelphia. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Gabby Williams, a former Chicago draft pick and standout, terrorized her onetime team to the tune of 13 points and three steals. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 The Mexican government has surged hundreds of soldiers and national guardsmen across the city, ostensibly to disrupt the criminal groups who have terrorized it. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 In the teaser for the six-episode series, which can be seen in its entirety below, a small seaside town is terrorized by a mysterious sea creature. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 28 July 2026 As the island of Widow’s Bay is being terrorized by a powerful force, Loftis and company have been attempting to discover who the last remaining member of the Warren bloodline is. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 Morrison helped lead the racist white supremacy campaign of 1898 that terrorized Black citizens and led to policies of segregation, The Observer previously reported. — Chase Jordan july 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorized
  1. frightened
  2. scared
  3. terrified
  4. startled
  5. afraid
  6. horrified
  7. shocked
  8. alarmed
Adjective
  • In the second test, 12 dogs were shown happy faces, as well as sad, frightened, and angry ones.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hilton’s sister, Barbara Giarraffa, frightened fans and TikTok moderators were among those who called authorities.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightened
Verb
  • The size of this verdict scared Meta into recently settling a similar case brought by 47 other states for a total that could reach $18 billion.
    — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This would have been less than a mile from the nesting pine and might have scared the eagles away.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • Instead, coaches have become more and more terrified through the years of seeing their players getting hurt during largely meaningless games in August.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Tempe police ultimately convinced the couple, who were initially too terrified to report the incident, to share what had happened to them, documents said.
    — Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrified
Verb
  • This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.
    — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Of those who were injured, officials said that many were hurt while falling down or hitting themselves against furniture after being startled by the earthquake while sleeping.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of startled
Adjective
  • Trust your board, adapt to your league mates and don’t be afraid to take the swings that can win you the league.
    — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Brian Austin Green isn’t afraid to talk about what happens to men after 50.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • When Tae-ha starts a fire that erupts into an explosion, a horrified Eun-sae begins to remember her life before amnesia.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In one early scene, a horrified Pam stares into her bathroom mirror, covered head to toe in blood.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
Definition of horrified
Adjective
  • The man who was shocked was taken to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan with life-threatening injuries.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But something fascinating was happening behind the scenes, coinciding with the disaster that had sent Olin overseas and left her bandmates, Augustin and Nathan Slone — located in New York City — shocked.
    — Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • An alarmed individual may coil its body and open its mouth in an attempt to appear more intimidating.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Palmeiras winger Allan, 22, quickly emerged as one such solution, though his modest goal and assist tally alarmed supporters when the wisdom of City’s market strategy was being questioned.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of alarmed

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Cite this Entry

“Terrorized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorized. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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