terror

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noun ter·ror \ˈter-ər, ˈte-rər\

Definition of terror

1 : a state of intense fear
2a : one that inspires fear : scourgeb : a frightening aspectc : a cause of anxiety : worryd : an appalling person or thing; especially : brat
3 : reign of terror
4 : violent or destructive acts (such as bombing) committed by groups in order to intimidate a population or government into granting their demands

terrorless

play \-ləs\ adjective

See terror defined for English-language learners

See terror defined for kids

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 of terror from the Web

In Mosul, the initial relief at liberation from IS’s reign of terror is already turning to grumbling.

— The Economist, "Islamic State nears its end", 5 July 2017
The United States is more accessible to terror like this, horror like this.

— rebecca nelson, Cosmopolitan, "A Republican Congressman Filmed a Selfie Video From Inside a Gas Chamber at Auschwitz", 5 July 2017
Transnational terror groups operate in Afghanistan, are a threat to us in Western Europe.

— Washington Post, "NATO agrees to send more troop trainers to Afghanistan", 29 June 2017
A big thank you to SCOTUS for putting an end to all these terror attacks by immigrants, oh wait -- Vito (@Vext6) June 26, 2017 BREAKING: #SCOTUS to take up Trump's Muslim ban.

— the tylt, AL.com, "Will President Trump's travel ban make us safer?", 26 June 2017
The conference was hosted by 67-year-old Danie de Wet, along with his sons Johann and Peter, genial giants who must have inspired terror in opponents during their rugby days.

— jay mcinerney, Town & Country, "Why You Should be Drinking South African Chardonnay", 23 June 2017
During their bloody war eight year war, Iran and Iraq fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at one another, mostly inaccurate Scud missiles that were mostly used as terror weapons against civilian targets.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Iran Launched A Salvo of Ballistic Missiles at ISIS", 19 June 2017
There's no doubt that Ariana Grande has been emotionally affected by the devastating terror attack that took place at her Manchester concert on May 22.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Ariana Grande Instagrams Message About the Manchester Attack", 19 June 2017
Meanwhile, tech firms have faced lawsuits from victims of terrorist attacks, including from family members of those who died in the 2015 San Bernardino terror attacks.

— queenie wong, The Mercury News, "Facebook reveals its behind-the-scenes battle against terrorism", 15 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of terror

Middle English, from Anglo-French terrour, from Latin terror, from terrēre to frighten; akin to Greek trein to be afraid, flee, tremein to tremble — more at tremble

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

TERROR Defined for English Language Learners

terror

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noun

Definition of terror for English Language Learners

: a very strong feeling of fear
: something that causes very strong feelings of fear : something that is terrifying
: violence that is committed by a person, group, or government in order to frighten people and achieve a political goal

TERROR Defined for Kids

terror

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noun ter·ror \ˈter-ər\

Definition of terror for Students

1 : a state of great fear They fled in terror.
2 : a cause of great fear All these, however, were mere terrors of the night … — Washington Irving, “Sleepy Hollow”

Law Dictionary

terror

noun ter·ror

Legal Definition of terror

: an intense fear of physical injury or death inflict terror by forced entry or unlawful assembly; also : the infliction of such fear an act of terror