terror

noun

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ter·ror | \ ˈter-ər

, ˈte-rər \

plural terrors

Definition of terror

1 : a state of intense or overwhelming fear overcome by terror people fleeing the scene in terror He lived in terror of being caught.

2 : violence or the threat of violence used as a weapon of intimidation or coercion a regime that rules by terror especially : violent or destructive acts (such as bombing) committed by groups in order to intimidate a population or government into granting their demands an act of terror the war on terror —sometimes used before another noun a terror attack

3 : a very frightening or terrifying aspect the terrors of war

4a : someone or something that inspires fear : scourge I stood before fierce Mrs. Mabel Johnston, his secretary and the terror of the office.— Russell Baker Before rifles were available to Eskimo hunters, bears were truly the terror of their existence.— Charles T. Feazel

b informal : an extremely disruptive or annoying person or thing especially : a misbehaving child : brat Their son is a little terror.

5 : reign of terror

Other Words from terror Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about terror

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Choose the Right Synonym for terror

fear, dread, fright, alarm, panic, terror, trepidation mean painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger. fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage. fear of the unknown dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety. faced the meeting with dread fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear. fright at being awakened suddenly alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger. view the situation with alarm panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity. the news caused widespread panic terror implies the most extreme degree of fear. immobilized with terror trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation. raised the subject with trepidation

Examples of terror in a Sentence

The sound of guns being fired fills me with terror. Many civilians fled in terror. a terror that is still fresh in her memory the terrors of life in the jungle a regime that rules by terror bombings and other acts of terror These people have been living with terror and the threat of terror for many years. a campaign of terror against ethnic minority groups

Recent Examples on the Web On Monday, McCarthy was criticized by House Democrats after warning of the potential terror threat at the border. — Andrew Mark Miller, Washington Examiner, "Hours after Democrats accuse Kevin McCarthy of lying about terrorists crossing the border, CBP confirms it to Congress," 16 Mar. 2021 In 2019, the official said, the bureau viewed racially-motivated extremism as the most potent domestic terror threat but has shifted to view antigovernment extremism as the top threat in 2020 and the current year. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "FBI Director Testifies on Capitol Hill About Jan. 6 Riot," 2 Mar. 2021 Wray is expected to be pressed by lawmakers Tuesday on an array of questions, from law enforcement’s response to the Jan. 6 siege to its capacity to deal with a domestic terror threat. — Editors, USA TODAY, "J&J COVID-19 vaccine distribution, voting rights debate, FBI director to testify: 5 things to know Tuesday," 2 Mar. 2021 But their larger claim is that, after the attacks, English and American outlets immediately focused on failures in France’s policy toward Muslims rather than on the global terror threat. — Ben Smith, New York Times, "The President vs. the American Media," 15 Nov. 2020 Before the new President was sworn in, national security officials from both sides worked together in the White House Situation Room on a terror threat to the inauguration. — Stephen Collinson With Caitlin Hu, CNN, "What might the transfer of power in the US look like?," 9 Nov. 2020 He was detained by a team known as CT 6, a counterterrorism unit that chases potential domestic terror threat tips. — Richard Winton Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "L.A.-area man who allegedly threatened mass shooting if Biden won is held, sources say," 6 Nov. 2020 Britain raised its terror threat level to severe, its second-highest level, following the attack in Austria and others in France. — The Christian Science Monitor, "Vienna shooting marks another terror attack in Europe," 3 Nov. 2020 Britain raised its terror threat level to severe, its second-highest level, following the attack in Austria and others in France. — Philipp Jenne, chicagotribune.com, "Gunman who killed 4 in Vienna attack had sought to join the Islamic State group, Austrian authorities say," 3 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'terror.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.