terror

Synonym Chooser

How is the word terror distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of terror are alarm, dread, fear, fright, panic, and trepidation. While all these words mean "painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger," terror implies the most extreme degree of fear.

immobilized with terror

When is it sensible to use alarm instead of terror?

The words alarm and terror are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger.

view the situation with alarm

When might dread be a better fit than terror?

While in some cases nearly identical to terror, dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

faced the meeting with dread

When can fear be used instead of terror?

The words fear and terror can be used in similar contexts, but fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage.

fear of the unknown

In what contexts can fright take the place of terror?

While the synonyms fright and terror are close in meaning, fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear.

fright at being awakened suddenly

Where would panic be a reasonable alternative to terror?

The synonyms panic and terror are sometimes interchangeable, but panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity.

the news caused widespread panic

How do trepidation and dread relate to one another, in the sense of terror?

Trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation.

raised the subject with trepidation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of terror Panic, fear and utter terror were consuming me at once. Essence, 15 Apr. 2025 Pairing him alongside Myles Garrett would be a terror for opposing offenses as well. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025 Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2025 The suspect is now facing charges of assault with bodily injury with a previous conviction, injury to the elderly, continuous violence against family, resisting arrest and terror threat of family, McLennan County Jail records seen by PEOPLE show. Becca Longmire, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terror
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terror
Noun
  • Between cases, Harvey confronted his demons and by the series’ 2019 finale was a married man headed to Seattle to reunite with his sidekick to do some legal good for the little guys.
    Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • This could be the first step in Hellebuyck erasing demons from playoffs past.
    Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Creating a culture of fear by persecuting unpopular individuals and groups?
    Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Orr’s study also found that even as silence about climate change can spiral into deeper fears of speaking out, speaking about the issue can drive a spiral toward further discussion and action — and that individual conversations can play a surprisingly large role.
    Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Paul invited them in, but that simple act led to years of torment.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
  • For those who have seen family members battle the torment of cancer, the memories may last a lifetime.
    Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Trump's remarks came as he's started to soften his tone with China regarding tariffs, which have rattled the global markets and stoked anxieties about the economy.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Hiking in nature has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.
    Ashley J. DiMella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Residents rushed out of homes and buildings in panic, the Associated Press reported.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The auto industry, which uses about 20% of the world’s carbon fiber, went into a panic at the proposal (and the short lead times the 2029 ban would have given them).
    Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • When the slasher eventually appears, stealing the group’s car before murdering them with a humorous bluntness, there is also a real atmosphere of dread.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
  • But his ailment looked to be grave enough to warrant dread.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terror. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on terror

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