terror
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for terror, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Intense fear.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use terror
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French terreur, from Latin terror, "fright, dread," from terrere, "to frighten."
Full origin of terror →Frequently asked questions
What does “terror” mean?
The word “terror” means intense fear. In plain terms, extreme fear, an act meant to cause that fear, or informally a mischievous person.
How do you pronounce “terror”?
“Terror” is pronounced TEH-ruh (/ˈtɛɹ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “terror” in a sentence?
Here is “terror” used in a sentence: “She screamed in terror when the lights went out.”
What is another word for “terror”?
Words with a similar meaning to “terror” include horror.
What part of speech is “terror”?
“Terror” is a noun.
Where does the word “terror” come from?
The word “terror” comes from Latin. From Old French terreur, from Latin terror, "fright, dread," from terrere, "to frighten.".
Is “terror” a common word?
“Terror” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “terror” have?
“Terror” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: intense fear.
What is the difference between "terror" and "fear"?
"Fear" is a general response to danger and can be mild or strong, while "terror" is fear at its most intense and overwhelming. Terror describes being gripped by extreme, often paralysing dread.
What is the difference between "terror" and "horror"?
"Terror" is the intense fear felt when facing or anticipating danger, while "horror" mixes fear with shock, disgust, or revulsion at something dreadful. You feel terror as a threat approaches and horror at the sight of its aftermath.
What is the difference between "terror" and "terrorism"?
"Terror" can mean intense fear or, more broadly, violence meant to create widespread fear for political ends, while "terrorism" is the specific practice of using such violence. Terrorism produces terror as its intended effect.
What are common phrases using "terror"?
Frequent collocations include "reign of terror," "war on terror," "sheer terror," and "night terror." These span the emotion of intense fear and the political sense of organised violence.