terrorizes
Instills extreme fear
Terrorizes means to fill with terror or to control through fear and intimidation.
A dictator terrorizes a population; a bully terrorizes classmates.
The word implies sustained or repeated threats rather than a single frightening incident: The gang terrorized the neighborhood for months.
Someone can also terrorize in a less serious sense—a toddler who terrorizes the household with tantrums.
Frightens into submission
- threatensExpresses intent to harm
- menacesEndangers or intimidates
- brutalizesTreats with savage cruelty
- victimizesTargets for harm
torments · attacks · assaults · preys · stalks · harasses · coerces · bullies
Misuses or mistreats
- battersMixtures before baking
- controlsOperates or regulates
- isolatesKeeps separate from others
- threatensExpresses intent to harm
manipulates · stalks · intimidates · traps · silences · victim · survivor · cycle
Visits often, or torments
- disturbsCauses unease or interruption
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
anxiety · fears · phobias · paranoia · unnerves · unsettles · distresses · anguishes
Those fighting established authority
- militantsAggressive advocates for causes
- extremistsThose with radical positions
- radicalsAdvocates for fundamental change
- cellsBasic biological units
bombings · hostages · kidnappings · regimes · dictators · oppresses · suppresses · propaganda
intimidates
Frightens into submission
- threatensExpresses intent to harm
- menacesEndangers or intimidates
- brutalizesTreats with savage cruelty
victimizes · torments · attacks · assaults · preys · stalks · harasses · coerces · bullies · dominates
abuses
Misuses or mistreats
threatens · manipulates · stalks · intimidates · traps · silences · victim · survivor · cycle · escape
haunts
Visits often, or torments
- disturbsCauses unease or interruption
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
panic · anxiety · fears · phobias · paranoia · unnerves · unsettles · distresses · anguishes · tortures
insurgents
Those fighting established authority
- militantsAggressive advocates for causes
- extremistsThose with radical positions
- radicalsAdvocates for fundamental change
cells · bombings · hostages · kidnappings · regimes · dictators · oppresses · suppresses · propaganda · occupation
monster
Frightening imaginary creature
lurks · hunts · attacks · devours · rampages · destroys · villages · countryside · lair · legend