terror

American  

[ter-er] / ˈtɛr ər /

noun

1. intense, sharp, overmastering fear.

   to be frantic with terror.

   Synonyms:

   consternation, dismay, alarm

   Antonyms:

   calm

2. an instance or cause of intense fear or anxiety; quality of causing terror.

   to be a terror to evildoers.

3. any period of frightful violence or bloodshed likened to the Reign of Terror in France.

4. violence or threats of violence used for intimidation or coercion; terrorism.

5. Informal. a person or thing that is especially annoying or unpleasant.

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terror British  

/ ˈtɛrə /

noun

1. great fear, panic, or dread

2. a person or thing that inspires great dread

3. informal a troublesome person or thing, esp a child

4. terrorism

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terror Idioms  

1. see holy terror.

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Synonym Usage

Terror, horror, panic, fright all imply extreme fear in the presence of danger or evil. Terror implies an intense fear that is somewhat prolonged and may refer to imagined or future dangers: frozen with terror. Horror implies a sense of shock at a danger that is also evil, and the danger may be to others rather than to oneself: to recoil in horror. Panic and fright both imply a sudden shock of fear. Fright is usually of short duration: a spasm of fright. Panic is uncontrolled and unreasoning fear, often groundless, that may be prolonged: The mob was in a panic.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• counterterror
  noun
• terrorful
  adjective
• terrorless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of terror

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin, equivalent to terrēre “to frighten” + -or -or ¹; replacing Middle English terrour, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above

Explanation

Terror is the feeling of extreme fear. If you unexpectedly find someone dressed up as a vampire in your closet in the middle of a dark night, you might well experience feelings of terror. If you feel terror, you are frozen to the spot in fear. This is the goal of terrorists who use terror as a weapon — they create a climate of fear and mistrust so that people are afraid to go about their normal lives. You will recognize this use in the phrase “the war on terror.” You can also call a difficult or scary person, often a child who causes havoc, a terror or a holy terror.

Example Sentences

Residents who spoke to AFP described scenes of terror during the earthquake, with many saying the area was no longer safe enough to call home.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

He either swats away shot attempts or, more often, makes would-be shooters run away in terror before they even look at the rim—a phenomenon known as the “Nope.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

“The terror in ‘Cape Fear’ is about the destruction of the family,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Rubbish bins are notoriously scarce in Japan, partly due to safety concerns after past terror attacks in the country and abroad.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Akira held the reins, but it was Dodger who was taking the lead now, running on terror and instinct.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

• anxiety
• awe
• dread
• horror
• intimidation
• panic
• shock