Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

terror

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of terror

1 a source of persistent emotional distress
  • With his fear of flying, traveling for business became one of the terrors of his life.
Synonyms of terror

affliction, demon (or daemon), hang-up, torment
Words Related to terror

bête noire, bogey (also bogie), bugaboo, bugbear, hobgoblin, ogre
2 the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
  • They lived in terror of being discovered.
Synonyms of terror

alarm (also alarum), anxiety, dread, fear, fearfulness, fright, horror, panic, scare, trepidation
Words Related to terror

phobia

creeps, jitters, nervousness, willies

pang, qualm, twinge

agitation, apprehension, consternation, discomposure, disquiet, funk, perturbation

concern, dismay, worry

cowardice, faintheartedness, timidity, timorousness
Near Antonyms of terror

aplomb, assurance, boldness, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence

bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, fortitude, gallantry, hardihood, intrepidity, intrepidness, stoutness, valor

audacity, guts, nerve

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

Learn More about terror

  1. See words that rhyme with terror Dictionary: Definition of terror Spanish Central: Translation of terror Nglish: Translation of terror for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of terror for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up terror? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games