Terrorized: meaning, definitions and examples

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terrorized

 

[ ˈtɛrəˌraɪzd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

causing fear

To terrorize someone means to create intense fear and anxiety in that person or group. This can occur through threats, intimidation, or violent actions. The act of terrorizing can be used to exert power or control over others. It is often associated with the use of fear as a tactic in warfare or criminal behavior.

Synonyms

bully, frighten, intimidate, scare, threaten.

Examples of usage

  • The bullies terrorized the younger students at school.
  • During the invasion, many civilians were terrorized by the attacking forces.
  • The serial killer terrorized the entire community.
  • They felt terrorized by the constant harassment.
  • The dictator terrorized the population to maintain control.

Translations

Translations of the word "terrorized" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aterrorizado

🇮🇳 आतंकित

🇩🇪 terrorisiert

🇮🇩 terorisasi

🇺🇦 тероризований

🇵🇱 teroryzowany

🇯🇵 テロにさらされた

🇫🇷 terrorisé

🇪🇸 aterrorizado

🇹🇷 terörize olmuş

🇰🇷 공포에 질린

🇸🇦 مُرعَب

🇨🇿 terorizovaný

🇸🇰 terorizovaný

🇨🇳 恐怖的

🇸🇮 teroriziran

🇮🇸 skelfinguður

🇰🇿 қорқытылған

🇬🇪 ტერორიზებული

🇦🇿 terrorize edilmiş

🇲🇽 aterrorizado

Etymology

The word 'terrorize' traces its roots back to the Latin word 'terror', which means 'great fear' or 'panic'. The prefix 'terro-' is derived from 'terrere', meaning 'to frighten'. The concept of terror as an act was prominent in various contexts, from medieval times to modern warfare, where fear is deliberately instilled in the enemy or subjugated populations. The usage of 'terrorize' as a verb began to appear in the late 19th century, specifically to describe the actions of groups or entities that employ fear as a means of control or domination. Over the 20th century, particularly through political movements and acts of mass violence, the term gained significant prominence, becoming a key aspect of discussions surrounding terrorism.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,189, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.