terrorize

UK: /ˈtɛrəraɪz/ US: /ˈtɛrəˌraɪz/ ,(ter′ə rīz′)

Inflections of 'terrorize' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

terrorizes

v 3rd person singular (US & UK)

terrorizing

v pres p (US & UK)

terrorized

v past (US & UK)

terrorized

v past p (US & UK)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ter•ror•ize /ˈtɛrəˌraɪz/   v. [~ + object] , -ized, -iz•ing. 

1. to fill or overcome with terror.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ter•ror•ize  (ter′ə rīz′), v.t., -ized, -iz•ing. 

1. to fill or overcome with terror.
2. Government to dominate or coerce by intimidation.
3. Government to produce widespread fear by acts of violence, as bombings.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] ter′ror•ise′. 

• terror + -ize 1815–25

ter′ror•i•za′tion, n. 
ter′ror•iz′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. See frighten. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

terrorize, terrorise / ˈtɛrəˌraɪz/ verb (transitive)

1. to coerce or control by violence, fear, threats, etc
2. to inspire with dread; terrify

ˌterroriˈzation, ˌterroriˈsation noun

ˈterrorˌizer, ˈterrorˌiser noun