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night terror
noun
: a sudden awakening in dazed terror that occurs in children during slow-wave sleep, is often preceded by a sudden shrill cry uttered in sleep, and is not remembered when the child awakes
—usually used in plural
Examples of night terror in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The other two children suffered similar abuses and suffered from a range of behavioral issues, including panic, fearfulness, injury, difficulty focusing, night terrors, and uncontrollable crying, the families allege.
—
Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 8 Dec. 2024
The Germanic nightmare fae, the Alp, causes night terrors by sitting in the chest of a sleeping human.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Most children don't even remember having had night terrors.
—
Lori Miller Kase, Parents, 30 Oct. 2024
The creepiest part may have been when their 8-year-old daughter started experiencing sudden night terrors and bouts of sleepwalking.
—
Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1889, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near night terror
Cite this Entry
“Night terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/night%20terror. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Medical Definition
night terror
noun
night ter·ror
-ˈter-ər
: a sudden awakening in dazed terror that occurs in children during slow-wave sleep, is often preceded by a sudden shrill cry uttered in sleep, and is not remembered when the child awakes
—usually used in plural
called also pavor nocturnus
More from Merriam-Webster on night terror
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about night terror
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