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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Related Words

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

• 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

She is capable of real terror and real despair.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Regardless, a terror group refusing to identify its leader clearly complicates its ability to project power, enforce doctrine, and generate propaganda.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

"I think that hatred in the public sphere towards Jews has made them more acceptable as a target for terrorism," says Jonathan Hall KC, the government's independent reviewer of terror legislation.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

"Moscow is extremely upset with Ukraine's rapid strengthening of ties with the Gulf countries in the wake of Iranian air terror," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said on social media.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The younger Swanburne girls had lived in terror of her bloodcurdling scream, which was put to good use every autumn at Heathcote’s annual Haunted Hay Maze festival.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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