terror

noun

ter·ror | \ ˈter-ər,

ˈte-rər\

Definition of terror

1 : a state of intense fear

2a : one that inspires fear : scourge

b : a frightening aspect

c : a cause of anxiety : worry

d : 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

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

Keep scrolling for more

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

Yemen is also an important front in the war on terror, and has remained so across presidential administrations of both parties. — Mike Pompeo, WSJ, "The U.S.-Saudi Partnership Is Vital," 27 Nov. 2018 From the beginning, performing and a kind of self-doubt that bordered on terror went hand in hand for Hedges. — Adam Green, Vogue, "With a Bushel of New Film Roles—and a Broadway Debut—Lucas Hedges Is Learning to Love the Spotlight," 24 Sep. 2018 Of course, this did not go unnoticed by non-state actors such as terror groups. — Ulrike Franke, The Verge, "The Caracas drone attack won’t be the last of its kind," 17 Aug. 2018 Included: technological advances like the iPhone, President George W. Bush’s war on terror, Barack Obama’s historic election victory, the financial crisis and hip-hop’s rising influence. — Chuck Barney, Detroit Free Press, "TV highlights for the week of July 8-14," 7 July 2018 For many, its depiction of an ordinary-yet-extraordinary nuclear family defending itself against its enemies carried an unmistakable resonance in the wake of 9/11 and the nascent war on terror. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "How the dazzling, overstuffed ‘Incredibles 2’ holds up a cracked mirror to present-day reality," 4 July 2018 One of my favorite Facebook friends is a liberal who has regularly contributed to Huffington Post and strongly criticized President Bush’s handling of the war on terror. — Christine M. Flowers, Philly.com, "People think they know what I believe because I'm a conservative columnist. They're wrong | Christine Flowers," 21 June 2018 The security arsenal features police boats patrolling the East River near the U.N., aviation units overhead and teams of officers trained to respond to chemical, biological and other potential terror threats. — Tom Hays, Fox News, "Police beef up security for UN gathering, Trump visit," 22 Sep. 2018 The outlet also reported that an unnamed government official said that there was no evidence of a security or terror threat. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Flight from Dubai quarantined in NY amid mystery illness, 521 on board," 5 Sep. 2018

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.