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
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.
He is haunted by visions and night terrors involving Anne and his late mentor, Cardinal Wolsey (Jonathan Pryce), who was executed by King Henry’s orders in the first season. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 Mar. 2025 Watching Severance’s title sequence is like being swaddled by a night terror — in a good way. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2025 The prosecution also played a video showing photographs of Ammen and Spiridon with their daughters after their aunt and uncle, who now care for them, shared that one of the twins now experiences intense night terrors. Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025 Children who get enough restful sleep are less likely to experience night terrors. Arielle Tschinkel, Parents, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for night terror

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of night terror was in 1889

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Night terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/night%20terror. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

night terror

noun
night ter·​ror -ˈter-ər How to pronounce night terror (audio)
: 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

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