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"Aterrorizar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to terrorize", and "atemorizar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to frighten". Learn more about the difference between "aterrorizar" and "atemorizar" below.
aterrorizar(
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sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to terrorize
Insensible a las críticas internacionales, el dictador aterrorizó al país con sus grupos de policía secreta.Impervious to international criticism, the dictator terrorized the country with his secret police groups.
b. to terrorise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Dos hombres armados aterrorizaron a los peatones, que se refugiaron en una estación cercana.Two armed men terrorised the pedestrians, who took refuge in a nearby train station.
a. to terrify
El monstruo de la película aterrorizó a los niños.The monster in the film terrified the children.
aterrorizarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
3. (to horrify)
a. to terrify
El hecho de que un día todos estaremos muertos me aterroriza.The fact that one day we all will be dead terrifies me.
atemorizar(
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)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to frighten
El payaso atemorizó a la niña, que al verlo se puso a llorar desconsoladamente.The clown frightened the girl, who started crying inconsolably when she saw him.
b. to intimidate
Los narcos buscan atemorizar a la gente para que no los delaten.The drug traffickers want to intimidate the people so that they won't inform on them.
atemorizarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
2. (to fear)
a. to be frightened
No nos atemorizamos por las amenazas de Trujillo.We weren't frightened by Trujillo's threats.
b. to get frightened
Muchos animales se atemorizan cuando hay una tormenta eléctrica.Many animals get frightened when there's a thunderstorm.
