terror

American  

[ter-er] / ˈtɛr ər /

noun

terrors plural

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• terrors
  plural

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

In its absence, this category is open for business, with Rhys, so good at shifting between his show’s droll humor and genuine terror, an obvious choice.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

In Khalid’s opinion, the Prairieland case represents a progression of the legal precedent set in the Prairieland case, as in both cases the government pursued maximal sentences against Americans alleging some sort of terror connection.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026

There is — and I mean this — existentialism in witnessing a person embrace shame and terror.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026

In his own moment of terror, Gunn acted like a man jumping out of a cupboard trying to spook somebody.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

Glancing to the left, he was just in time to see Mimi and her little friend race into the back through the Employees Only door, screaming with terror.

From "A Monster of a Mystery (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #5)" by Franklin W. Dixon

Related Words

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