terrorize
pronunciation
How to pronounce terrorize in British English:
UK [ˈterəraɪz]
How to pronounce terrorize in American English:
US [ˈtɛrəˌraɪz]
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- Verb:
- coerce by violence or with threats
- fill with terror; frighten greatly
Word Origin
- terrorize (v.)
- "coerce or deter by terror," 1823, from terror + -ize (also see terrorism). Related: Terrorized; terrorizing; terrorization.
Example
- 1. They are prepared to torture , terrorize and kill the defenseless .
- 2. Abetted by corrupt or intimidated judges , bureaucrats blackmail and shake down entrepreneurs ; traffic police terrorize and extort motorists .
- 3. He has used mercenaries to terrorize people and even drag injured protesters out of hospitals , so a sullen calm has returned to tripoli for now .
- 4. When they returned , the insurgents used roadside and suicide bombs as well as executions to terrorize the people and undermine the authority of foreign forces and fledgling local governments , residents complained .
- 5. However , such calculations do not include the " cost " of allowing a bunch of youngsters from third world countries to terrorize passengers and crews alike , whether they are on cruises , small recreational boats or cargo ships .