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terror
[ ter-er ]
/ ˈtɛr ər /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
intense, sharp, overmastering fear: to be frantic with terror.
an instance or cause of intense fear or anxiety; quality of causing terror: to be a terror to evildoers.
any period of frightful violence or bloodshed likened to the Reign of Terror in France.
violence or threats of violence used for intimidation or coercion; terrorism.
Informal. a person or thing that is especially annoying or unpleasant.
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Origin of terror
First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin, equivalent to terrēre “to frighten” + -or-or1; replacing Middle English terrour, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above
synonym study for terror
1. 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 WORDS FROM terror
ter·ror·ful, adjectiveter·ror·less, adjectivecoun·ter·ter·ror, nounWords nearby terror
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use terror in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for terror
terror
/ (ˈtɛrə) /
noun
great fear, panic, or dread
a person or thing that inspires great dread
informal a troublesome person or thing, esp a child
terrorism
Derived forms of terror
terrorful, adjectiveterrorless, adjectiveWord Origin for terror
C14: from Old French terreur, from Latin terror, from terrēre to frighten; related to Greek trein to run away in terror
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with terror
terror
see holy terror.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.