terror

noun

ˈter-ər How to pronounce terror (audio)
Definition of terrornext
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word terror distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of terror are alarm, dread, fear, fright, panic, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

When is it sensible to use alarm instead of terror?

The words alarm and terror are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

When might dread be a better fit than terror?

While in some cases nearly identical to terror, 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

When can fear be used instead of terror?

The words fear and terror can be used in similar contexts, but fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

In what contexts can fright take the place of terror?

While the synonyms fright and terror are close in meaning, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

Where would panic be a reasonable alternative to terror?

The synonyms panic and terror are sometimes interchangeable, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

How do trepidation and dread relate to one another, in the sense of terror?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of terror Venomous snakes like these might inspire awe in some and terror in others. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 In other words, there would appear to be space in Hollywood to demonstrate sympathy for the more than fifty thousand human beings that Israeli military forces have killed in Gaza, as well as for the roughly twelve hundred human beings that Hamas killed in its October 7th terror attack on Israel. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2025 On the state level, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has indicted Mangione on first-degree murder and terror offenses carrying the possibility of life without parole. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025 The Supreme Court appears poised to uphold a law allowing Americans injured by acts of terror in the Middle East to take Palestinian leadership groups to U.S. courts for damages. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terror
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terror
  1. demon
  2. fear
  3. torment
  4. anxiety
  5. panic
  6. dread
Noun
  • And some of the mistakes are of actual blood on his hands, and he’s got demons floating around in his soul, as well as on the ceiling or climbing the walls or whatever.
    — Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
  • With the playoffs around the corner, New York could have slayed the proverbial dragon, shaken off its demons and walked into the playoffs believing.
    — James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of demon
Noun
  • By the end of the month, the new moon in Taurus invites you to embrace more intimacy and transformation in your love life, even if that means facing your fears in the process.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The spread of antivaccine misinformation in the previous year had caused fear and uncertainty, which kept many families from vaccinating their children against measles.
    — Dr. Josh Green, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of fear
Noun
  • And there is arguably something no less unseemly about making a show about yet-unresolved torment and grief that corrals one’s family into an extended act of performance.
    — Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The restoration team, led by longtime Dye disciple Tim Liddy, literally dug up the past, hand-excavating original contours, stripping and reshaping greens, and bringing back Dye’s signature elements—from punishing bunkers with steep grass faces to greens that tease and torment in equal measure.
    — David Hochman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of torment
Noun
  • Consumer sentiment fell sharply in April, marking the fourth consecutive month of declines, as an intensifying trade war fueled anxiety over American jobs and rising inflation.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • For the next year, Munn battled postpartum anxiety.
    — Danielle Pergament, SELF, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • Trump faces growing pushback from his own party The markets were still in a panic on Monday when an unverified report circulated that the president was considering a 90-day pause on the tariffs.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Later that night, his girlfriend called her in a panic and told her about the shooting.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of panic
Noun
  • Our familiar route turned into an obstacle course of dread, and every step toward the school building sent him deeper into a panicked spiral.
    — Elizabeth Austin, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Once the innie enters the room, it is forced to engage in an activity which coincides with things Gemma fears (going to the dentist, airplane turbulence) or dreads (writing thank-you cards).
    — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of dread

Browse Nearby Words

territory
terror
terrorism
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Cite this Entry

“Terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terror. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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