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 David Petraeus, the retired four-star Army general, served in the military for nearly four decades, eventually becoming the most famous and revered member of the armed forces during the war on terror and the war in Iraq. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2021 But at any rate, those heroes on Flight 93 were the first heroes in the war on terror. — CBS News, 18 Aug. 2021 And some of your brothers and sisters in arms made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror. — Matthew Brown, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2021 Which is why the veterans of the ongoing—and fast-collapsing—war in Afghanistan and the broader-but-connected global war on terror were in high demand in recent days for advice about what should happen next. — Philip Elliott, Time, 17 Aug. 2021 Over the last two decades, the U.S. depended on bases in Pakistan for its war-on-terror operations in Central Asia. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2021 The ramifications of the current situation extend further than just Afghanistan and the war on terror, but globally, Cheney told Karl. — Julia Cherner, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2021 The facility was meant to be a place where suspects in the war on terror could be interrogated. — Daniel A. Medina, CNN, 5 Aug. 2021 Such investigations are a feature of the FBI, from COINTELPRO to the war on terror. — Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, 22 July 2021

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.