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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terror
Brunson scored the points; Mikal Bridges was a rejuvenated terror; Josh Hart was everywhere; OG Anunoby suffocated the 76ers on defense.
—
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
The Lord in your convent frightened me, Jesus with his bloody palms and gaping mouth, eyes rolled back in terror.
—Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Why do pleasure and terror hover so close together in the blue light?
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 7 May 2026
Eduardo Rodrigues Cavalcante, a receptionist at a hotel adjacent to the school, described scenes of terror, as some students tried to jump over a wall separating the school from the hotel.
—CBS News, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for terror
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
The Lord in your convent frightened me, Jesus with his bloody palms and gaping mouth, eyes rolled back in terror.
—Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Why do pleasure and terror hover so close together in the blue light?
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 7 May 2026
Eduardo Rodrigues Cavalcante, a receptionist at a hotel adjacent to the school, described scenes of terror, as some students tried to jump over a wall separating the school from the hotel.
—CBS News, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for terror
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terror
Noun
-
That’s an intriguing philosophical swerve for the series that, however late arriving, paves the way for an unexpectedly moving epilogue after God honors Aziraphale and Crowley’s request to remake the universe as a place without gods or demons.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
Prime Video's fantasy series about angels, demons and good and evil is returning May 13 for what was meant to be a third and final season.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Renter Mandy Feng, who prefers to use a pseudonym for fear of being seen criticizing the authorities, said the stimulus the government is offering has failed to offset people’s anxiety over an uncertain economic outlook.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
China's exports gathered pace in April as factories scrambled to meet surging overseas demand from foreign buyers stockpiling goods as the Iran fanned fears of higher input costs.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Whether that provides solace or torment is the question.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
Her fiction has long been characterized by gruesome imagery and body horror, often sustained by characters whose psychological torment proves even more distressing than their physical conditions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Renter Mandy Feng, who prefers to use a pseudonym for fear of being seen criticizing the authorities, said the stimulus the government is offering has failed to offset people’s anxiety over an uncertain economic outlook.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
As anyone who deals with anxiety knows, one of its chief triggers is uncertainty.—
Tom Dotan,
Vanity Fair,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Every May, millions of high school students sit for Advanced Placement exams with a mixture of dread and excitement, with many believing that their scores could measurably shift the needle in their college prospects.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Up until shooting began, Seydoux was in a state of dread.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Its candor incited a small-scale moral panic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
The events triggered a sense of panic among Democrats.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terror. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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