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verb

aterrorizar

terrify

Causar mucho miedo o asustar de forma muy fuerte.

Definition & meaning

Aterrorizar means to terrify or to fill someone with intense fear. It can also mean to intimidate or terrorize a person or community through threats or violence.

In its reflexive form, aterrorizarse , it means to become terrified.

Grammar & Word origin

It is a regular -ar verb, though its spelling changes from z to c before e, as in aterricé (“I terrified”).

It is formed from the prefix a-, the noun terror (“terror”), and the verb-forming suffix -izar.

Synonyms & antonyms

  • atemorizar — to frighten or intimidate; generally less intense.
  • asustar — to scare; often less severe and more momentary.
  • espantar — to frighten greatly or startle; it can also mean to drive away.
  • tranquilizar — to calm or reassure, the opposite of causing fear.
  • calmar — to calm someone, though it is not limited to relieving fear.

Common phrases & collocations

  • aterrorizar a alguien — to terrify someone.
  • aterrorizar a la población — to terrorize the population.
  • estar aterrorizado — to be terrified.

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Examples

La película de horror me aterrorizó anoche.verb

The horror movie terrified me last night.

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