terror

[ter-er]

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.

terror

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• terrorful adjective
• terrorless adjective
• counterterror noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of terror¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of terror¹

C14: from Old French terreur, from Latin terror, from terrēre to frighten; related to Greek trein to run away in terror

Idioms and Phrases

see holy terror.

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Amid condemnation from the public and human-rights groups, authorities dropped the terror charges and instead charged him with unlawful possession of ammunition.

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That came after police detained nearly 500 people over the weekend during a protest in support of the Palestine Action group, which the government has labeled a terror group.

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Israel tried to tame Hamas with financial incentives, facilitating Qatari cash transfers, issuing work permits for thousands of Gaza laborers, and even supplying free electricity knowing that it powered Hamas’s terror tunnels.

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One day, I dream of Israelis returning to Gaza as friends and visitors, crossing freely into a land no longer ruled by terror.

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The Swedish Academy in Stockholm credited Krasznahorkai “for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art.”

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Related Words

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