terrorizing

verb

present participle of terrorize
as in scaring
to strike with fear thunderstorms terrorize our cats, who all scamper downstairs when lightning flashes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 terrorizing Stock Up Edge rusher Chop Robinson continues his dominant practices by terrorizing Dolphins offensive tackles all day. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 Every few decades since its founding a dark and deadly cycle begins, terrorizing the local community, many of whom are unable to survive beyond the island’s borders. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 Rising antisemitic hate-crime stats suggest the proliferation of deranged bigots terrorizing the Jewish community, some who may go on to commit deadly crimes if they are not apprehended. — Rachel Sales, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 After terrorizing that one kid, the bird reportedly went after a few other teenage footballers to the point that the referee had to put the match on hold. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 But Russia has scored some points of its own recently, and not just by terrorizing Ukrainian civilians with long-range missiles. — Ian Bremmer, Time, 31 July 2026 Laelaps was sent to chase a fox that was terrorizing the Cadmea, a citadel. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 24 July 2026 In one of Nolan’s subtle but important additions to Homer’s tale, all throughout the film, everyone expresses fears about the People from the Sea, this unseen menace terrorizing different towns. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 July 2026 Russia has been doing this since the start of the war, terrorizing Ukrainian cities with aerial assaults that have killed thousands of civilians and crippled much of the country’s energy grid for months on end. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorizing
  1. scaring
  2. frightening
  3. terrifying
Verb
  • Few griz/hunter interactions ever move beyond the scaring stage.
    — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Be a menace to people in the community, driving his boat 70 to 80 miles per hour, driving around scaring the heck out of people, taking people's lives.
    — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of scaring
Verb
  • Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.
    — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Definition of frightening
Verb
  • For Thomas, unpacking what went wrong goes well beyond the headless bodies, terrifying phone calls and dead ends.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Spotify is terrifying much of the podcast industry with a tiny little widget.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrifying

Browse Nearby Words

terrorizes
terrorizing
terrors
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Cite this Entry

“Terrorizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorizing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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