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 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 The defensive lineman could be back terrorizing the NFL this season. — Los Angeles Times, 26 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 Instead, Judith completes the task on her own terms, terrorizing Sam and innocent skiers in her wake. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026 Ahead of his final year at the prestigious Buckley School, Bret (Igby Rigney) is shaken up by a mysterious new student, Robert Mallory (Homer Gere), who arrives just as a serial killer called the Trawler is terrorizing LA. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 13 July 2026 Witt claimed that Golubski — who in 2024 faced trial for allegations including terrorizing and abusing Black women in KCK for decades before killing himself the day it was scheduled to begin — also abused her late cousin, Elaine Greene. — Sofi Zeman july 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorizing
  1. scaring
  2. frightening
  3. terrifying
Verb
  • The dangers of taking a dog out off-leash The danger isn’t just scaring people who might have a fear of dogs; having your dog off-leash can lead to even more dangerous consequences.
    — Tanya Edwards, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Dogs, in particular, appear to be effective in scaring geese.
    — Mark Vrtiska, The Conversation, 30 July 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
  • What for decades seemed a hypothetical problem to be solved at some later date is suddenly a concrete, terrifying one for today.
    — Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
  • And there was Erling Haaland living his best Norwegian life, terrifying on the pitch and absurd off it, multiplying his stardom with a flamboyance and humor that didn’t detract from his serious talent.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 20 July 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on terrorizing

Nglish: Translation of terrorizing for Spanish Speakers

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