terror
C1Formal, semi-formal, literary, journalistic.
Definition
Meaning
Extreme fear; the feeling of being terrified.
A person or thing that causes such extreme fear; also, a period characterised by such fear, especially as part of political repression.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Terror" implies an intense, often paralysing fear, typically in response to an immediate, life-threatening threat. It is a stronger, more visceral term than "fear". In a political context, "the Terror" (capitalised) refers to specific historical periods of violent oppression, e.g., the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The historical/political term "the Terror" is recognised in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical strong negative connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency. The derived forms "terrorism", "terrorist" are high-frequency in news contexts globally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be filled with terrorbe a terror to someonehold someone in terrorbe in terror of somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a reign of terror”
- “to be a holy terror (especially for a mischievous child)”
- “to live in terror (of something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not typical. Might appear in risk assessment: 'The terror threat level impacts our international operations.'
Academic
Common in historical, political science, and psychological contexts: 'The study examined the psychological effects of the Terror on the populace.'
Everyday
Describing intense fear: 'I was filled with terror when I heard the crash.' Also, humorously for a mischievous child: 'Their toddler is a little terror.'
Technical
In psychology/psychiatry: refers to a specific, acute emotional state; also in security/military studies: 'asymmetric warfare', 'counter-terror'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The loud noise filled him with terror.
- She has a terror of spiders.
- The people lived in terror of the dictator's soldiers.
- The child screamed in absolute terror.
- The government's crackdown ushered in a new reign of terror for dissidents.
- The sheer terror of the experience left him traumatised for years.
- The novel masterfully conveys the slow-burning terror of isolation in a hostile environment.
- The regime used random arrests as an instrument of terror to control the population.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TERRORrIST - the core of the word is TERROR, the extreme fear they aim to create.
Conceptual Metaphor
TERROR IS A TYRANT / TERROR IS A WEAPON / TERROR IS A LIQUID (to be filled with terror, to spread terror).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "ужас" in its informal, weakened sense (e.g., "Какой ужас!" for a minor mishap). "Terror" is always strong and negative.
- "Террор" is a direct cognate for the political meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Using "terror" for mild fear or simple nervousness (e.g., 'I had terror before my exam' - too strong). Use 'nerves' or 'anxiety'.
- Confusing 'terror' with 'horror': 'Terror' is the feeling of extreme fear; 'horror' is a mixture of fear, shock, and disgust, often at something repulsive.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'terror' is CORRECT?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Terror is a much more intense, overwhelming, and often paralyzing form of fear, usually in response to an immediate, severe threat.
Yes, a terrorist is literally 'an agent of terror' — someone who uses violent acts to create terror for political or ideological aims.
Rarely positive. It can be used humorously or affectionately to describe a very mischievous child, e.g., 'My three-year-old nephew is a little terror.'
Capitalised, it refers to a specific historical period of state-sanctioned violence and fear, most notably the Reign of Terror (1793-94) during the French Revolution.