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 Panic, fear and utter terror were consuming me at once. —Essence, 15 Apr. 2025 Pairing him alongside Myles Garrett would be a terror for opposing offenses as well. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025 Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. —David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2025 The suspect is now facing charges of assault with bodily injury with a previous conviction, injury to the elderly, continuous violence against family, resisting arrest and terror threat of family, McLennan County Jail records seen by PEOPLE show. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 8 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
  • Between cases, Harvey confronted his demons and by the series’ 2019 finale was a married man headed to Seattle to reunite with his sidekick to do some legal good for the little guys.
    — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Based on a book inspired by Chinese mythology, Ne Zha 2 tells the story of Ne Zha, a demon child raised by humans who is hunting for a magical potion to reanimate his friend, the dragon prince Ao Bing, whose body has been destroyed by a lightning strike.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of demon
Noun
  • Hayes said he’s had to take a leave of absence from his job over the fear of what might happen to his family.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Orr’s study also found that even as silence about climate change can spiral into deeper fears of speaking out, speaking about the issue can drive a spiral toward further discussion and action — and that individual conversations can play a surprisingly large role.
    — Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of fear
Noun
  • Paul invited them in, but that simple act led to years of torment.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
  • For those who have seen family members battle the torment of cancer, the memories may last a lifetime.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 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
  • Is loyalty to an old friend and/or anxiety about having a kid reason enough to spend a day or two away from a wife who could go into labor at any minute?
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 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
  • As the deadline for obtaining a Real ID approaches, many Americans are scrambling to secure an appointment, some expressing panic over long delays at state DMVs.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of panic
Noun
  • For many, as the rain kept falling, there was a sense of dread that the worst was still to come.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Thus, the fear of displacement has not become a distant memory but a continuous dread as the age of gentrification looms over the neighborhood.
    — Alyza J Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2025.

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