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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for terror
The first known use of terror was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century