WordGarden.ioterror
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɛrə/
US
- /ˈtɛrər/
Meanings
Noun
extreme fear or dread
organized violence or threats used to frighten people
a person or thing that causes great fear
Beyond the definition
Terror is not just ordinary fear; it is a deep, overwhelming feeling that can seem to freeze a person in place. Imagine someone in a horror movie running from a monster, or a person trapped in a burning building. That is terror. It often appears when danger feels immediate and serious, but it can also grow from the thought that something terrible is about to happen. While "fear" can be mild or brief, "terror" suggests the strongest kind of fear, the kind that makes your body go cold and your mind race.
Terror is an intense and overwhelming feeling of dread or fear. It's more than just being startled or anxious; it's a primal, gripping emotion that can leave a person helpless and paralyzed. Imagine witnessing something truly horrific—a devastating earthquake, a violent crime, or the threat of imminent danger. That experience evokes terror.
Historically, the word has strong ties to political upheaval. The "Reign of Terror" during the French Revolution was a period marked by extreme violence and public executions designed to instill fear in opponents of the state. This historical context led to the term "terrorism," which specifically refers to the use of violence and intimidation—often against civilians—to achieve political aims.
However, terror doesn't always have a political dimension. You can experience personal terror during a near-death experience, such as being lost in a blizzard or facing a life-threatening illness. It is that feeling of utter helplessness in the face of the unknown. Writers often use "terror" to create suspense and evoke strong emotional responses in their readers—think of Edgar Allan Poe's tales of psychological horror.
Ultimately, while "fear" is a natural human emotion, "terror" is its most extreme form: a state of intense dread that can grip both the mind and body, whether it comes from immediate danger or from the chilling sense that something awful is about to happen.
Examples
- 1
Sudden fear
She woke in terror when she heard glass break downstairs.
- 2
Family fear
The thought of losing his daughter filled him with terror.
- 3
Intimidation
The masked men were sent to strike terror into the village.
- Patternstrike terror into + group/place
make people there feel extreme fear
- 4
State repression
For months, people lived in terror of the secret police.
- Patternlive in terror of + person/group
be constantly afraid of them
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Political control
The dictator ruled by terror for more than twenty years.
- Patternrule by terror
control people through fear
- 6
Difficult child
Their youngest son can be a little terror at bedtime.
- Phrasea little terror
someone, especially a child, who is difficult and badly behaved
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- terrornoun
Forms
- terrorspluralnoun