1
as in demon
a source of persistent emotional distress
after the death of her father, fear of developing cancer became one of the terrors of her life
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in fear
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
the reports of a serial killer on the loose struck terror into our hearts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terror
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram, who was also shot but survived, is currently facing charges including 15 counts of murder and a terror offense.
—
Reuters, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
Shot locally in Los Angeles and based on an original idea by Nicholas Geisler (Bunk’d), who here made his feature directorial debut, Gulf of America follows a family who inherits a decaying desert motel, triggering an inescapable descent into greed, psychosis, and terror.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
In 1912, the landscape of Forsyth County was changed forever by racial terror as more than 1,000 Black families were expelled.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
With various factions controlled by key lieutenants, some of them close relatives, Oseguera’s moniker has been invoked to instill terror and keep subordinates in line, Craine said.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terror
Reuters, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
Shot locally in Los Angeles and based on an original idea by Nicholas Geisler (Bunk’d), who here made his feature directorial debut, Gulf of America follows a family who inherits a decaying desert motel, triggering an inescapable descent into greed, psychosis, and terror.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
In 1912, the landscape of Forsyth County was changed forever by racial terror as more than 1,000 Black families were expelled.
—La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
With various factions controlled by key lieutenants, some of them close relatives, Oseguera’s moniker has been invoked to instill terror and keep subordinates in line, Craine said.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terror
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terror
Noun
-
Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018) Bruce Campbell returns to the role he was born to play in this comedy-horror series 30 years after vanquishing body-possessing demons in The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), and Army of Darkness (1992).—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
-
This national touring production of this comedy musical is about a demon trying to trick a family into freeing him from death.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That puts the fear of God into him.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The Showtime Lakers faced those fears and overcame them.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In that final part of the cycle—the writing part—were torments, perhaps even tortures, but good things happened.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The general thrust of the changes were to de-melodramatize Salieri’s action and to focus more attention on his guilt and metaphysical torment.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Tobacco parallels The Los Angeles trial centers on allegations made by a 20-year-old woman, Kaley, and her mother that four social media giants intentionally designed addictive platforms that hooked her as a child and led to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The lurch from confidence to anxiety has been a key reason Villa have not held their nerve in some supposedly easier fixtures.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mirror images except for the fact that Jelani has his hair in dreads, while Ari goes with the more retro-look afro.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
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Shoppers who fluctuate between sizes, dread sitting in rigid denim, have arthritis, and are in the early stages of pregnancy also give the jeans a thumbs-up for their flexible fit, breathable fabric, and easy pull-on design.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke billowing over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, and people sprinting through the airport of the state’s capital in panic.—
Fabiola Sanchez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terror. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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