Definition

1. Verb:
   • To fill with extreme fear; to make someone feel terrified.
   • To coerce, control, or intimidate someone through violence or threats.

Usage

The verb "terrorise" (also spelled "terrorize") describes the act of causing intense fear or using fear as a weapon to control others. It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the person or group being terrorised).

Examples

• The criminal gang terrorised the small town for months.
• The dictator used secret police to terrorise the population into submission.
• The thought of failing the exam terrorised the student.
• Bullies should not be allowed to terrorise their classmates.

Advanced Usage

• "to terrorise someone into doing something": to use terror to force a specific action.
  • The invaders terrorised the villagers into revealing the location of the supplies.

Variants and Related Words

• Terror (n): Extreme fear.
• Terrorism (n): The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
• Terrorist (n): A person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians.

Synonyms

• Terrify: To cause to feel extreme fear.
• Frighten: To make afraid.
• Intimidate: To frighten or threaten someone, usually to make them do something.
• Coerce: To persuade someone to do something by using force or threats.

Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

(This word is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.)

Verb

1. fill with terror; frighten greatly
2. coerce by violence or with threats