terror

terror — noun

1. an extremely strong and sudden feeling of being frightened, or a person or thing

1.nounB1
Definition

an extremely strong and sudden feeling of being frightened, or a person or thing that causes this feeling

Example

Niran felt a wave of terror when the giant dog ran toward him.

uncountable: feel a wave of terror

The villagers lived in terror of the armed groups controlling the area.

grammar pattern: in terror of [someone/something]

Common collocations
  • in terror
  • sheer / pure terror
  • strike terror into someone
  • frozen with terror
  • terror of something
Synonyms
  • fear

    A more general, everyday word; can be mild or strong. Terror is always extreme.

  • dread

    Focuses on fear of a future event rather than an immediate threat.

  • horror

    Combines fear with shock or disgust, often at something violent or cruel.

Antonyms
  • calm

    A state of being free from fear or agitation.

  • courage

    The ability to act in the face of fear, as opposed to being overwhelmed by it.

Grammar Patterns

in terror

terror of something/someone

a/that terror (countable, frightening entity)

Usage Note

Uncountable when referring to the feeling itself (She was frozen with terror). Becomes countable when pointing to a specific cause of fear (The old bridge was a terror to cross).

Common Mistakes

I felt terror when I saw the spider in the bath.
I felt terror when the car lost control on the mountain road.
Terror describes overwhelming, paralysing fear, not everyday frights or mild anxiety.

2. frightening acts of violence directed at the general public, intended to achieve

2.nounB2
Definition

frightening acts of violence directed at the general public, intended to achieve political outcomes by creating widespread fear

Example

The government passed new laws to fight against terror after the bombing.

collocation: fight against terror

Many innocent families were forced to flee their homes because of terror.

Common collocations
  • terror attack / suspect / plot
  • act of terror
  • war on terror
  • terror campaign
  • fight against terror
Synonyms
  • terrorism

    A more formal term for the same concept; emphasises the systematic or ideological nature of the violence.

  • intimidation

    A broader term; can be non-violent and personal, not necessarily political.

  • coercion

    Focuses on forcing someone to act a certain way, not necessarily through violence or fear.

Antonyms
  • peace

    A state of freedom from violence and conflict.

  • security

    The condition of being safe from threats or violence.

Grammar Patterns

act / war / fight against terror

terror attack / threat / campaign

use terror to [verb]

Usage Note

Almost always uncountable in this sense. Frequently appears in news compounds such as terror attack, terror suspect, and terror plot. The related noun terrorism is more formal and emphasises the ideology or system.

Common Mistakes

The robbers used terror to scare the bank staff.
The group used terror to force the government to change its policy.
In this sense, terror refers to political violence aimed at the public or the state, not ordinary crime.

3. a troublesome person, most often a young child, whose wild or naughty behaviour

3.nounB2
Definition

a troublesome person, most often a young child, whose wild or naughty behaviour makes them hard to control

Example

Little Obi has been a complete terror today — he poured juice on the cat.

informal register: a complete terror

The babysitter quit after one day because the children were absolute terrors.

plural countable: absolute terrors

Common collocations
  • little terror
  • complete / absolute terror
  • the terror of [place/group]
Synonyms
  • menace

    A similar informal use for a troublesome person, but can sound more serious or negative.

  • handful

    Softer and more affectionate; suggests someone is difficult to manage rather than deliberately troublesome.

Antonyms
  • angel

    Used informally for a well-behaved child.

  • darling

    An affectionate term for a pleasant, well-behaved person.

Grammar Patterns

a / that / the terror

a little / complete / absolute terror

the terror of [place]

Usage Note

Often used humorously or with affectionate exasperation. Typically describes energetic, mischievous behaviour rather than genuinely harmful actions. Common in the fixed phrase a little terror.

Common Mistakes

My son is a terror when he doesn't get dessert.
My son is a terror
he emptied flour all over the kitchen.' — The word suggests actively disruptive or destructive behaviour, not just being upset or grumpy.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Fear is the broadest and mildest of these words, covering everything from a slight worry to a strong fright. Terror sits at the extreme end — it describes an overwhelming, paralysing fear that strikes suddenly, often in response to an immediate threat. Horror adds an element of disgust or moral shock; you feel horror at something cruel or violent, not just dangerous. Dread points forward in time: it is a deep, heavy fear of something bad that has not yet happened but feels inevitable. Panic is a sudden, uncontrolled fear that spreads quickly and makes people act without thinking. For example: you might feel fear before an exam, but terror when a car swerves toward you. A soldier feels dread before a battle, panic when the attack comes, and horror at the destruction left behind.

terror ↗fear ↗horror ↗dread ↗panic ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • reign of terror
  • strike terror into
  • wave of terror
  • in terror of
  • frozen with terror

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Terror entered English in the 14th century from Old French 'terreur', which came from Latin 'terror' meaning 'great fear, dread, or alarm'. The Latin noun was formed from the verb 'terrēre' (to frighten). The word's political meaning — the use of violence to intimidate a population — became prominent during the French Revolution's 'Reign of Terror' (1793–1794), when the revolutionary government used harsh measures against its opponents.