terrorizes

Terrorizes is the third-person singular present tense of the verb terrorize. To terrorize someone is to fill that person with intense fear through threats, intimidation, or violence, often to coerce behavior or gain an advantage. The act is typically repeated or persistent and can target individuals or groups. The term carries a strong negative connotation and is often discussed in legal, ethical, and social contexts.

In usage, terrorize describes actions by individuals, groups such as criminals or bullies, and sometimes state actors. It can refer to intimidation campaigns, harassment, or violent threats intended to control behavior, suppress dissent, or cause psychological harm. The verb is usually transitive, taking a direct object (e.g., terrorizes the neighborhood). It is commonly found in journalism, criminology, psychology, and political discourse, where it may be used to characterize coercive tactics or abuse. The term is typically employed in contexts that emphasize harm and unlawful or morally condemnable conduct.

Etymology: terrorizes derives from the noun terror, via the French terroriser, with roots in the Latin word for fear. The word entered English through French and has retained a strong sense of fear-inducing power. As a lexical item, it is most often used in formal or semi-formal writing to describe deliberate, repeated acts intended to instill fear or obedience.