plural terrors
1
: a state of intense or overwhelming fear
overcome by terror
people fleeing the scene in terror
He lived in terror of being caught.
2
: violence or the threat of violence used as a weapon of intimidation or coercion
a regime that rules by terror
especially
: violent or destructive acts (such as bombing) committed by groups in order to intimidate a population or government into granting their demands
an act of terror
the war on terror
—sometimes used before another noun a terror attack
3
: a very frightening or terrifying aspect
the terrors of war
4
a
: someone or something that inspires fear : scourge
I stood before fierce Mrs. Mabel Johnston, his secretary and the terror of the office.—
Russell Baker
Russell BakerBefore rifles were available to Eskimo hunters, bears were truly the terror of their existence.—Charles T. Feazel
Charles T. Feazel
b
informal
: an extremely disruptive or annoying person or thing
5
Examples of terror in a Sentence
The sound of guns being fired fills me with terror.
Many civilians fled in terror.
a terror that is still fresh in her memory
the terrors of life in the jungle
a regime that rules by terror
bombings and other acts of terror
These people have been living with terror and the threat of terror for many years.
a campaign of terror against ethnic minority groups
Recent Examples on the Web
Nir Oz, a small kibbutz near Gaza in southern Israel, was one of the communities worst impacted by the terror attacks of October 7, with one in four residents murdered or kidnapped.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
But Houthi predation could be curtailed dramatically if America and its allies move to a policy of extended attribution, whereby Houthi actions have consequences not only for the Yemeni terror group itself but for its paymasters in Tehran as well.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Ultimately, the festival also has played a role in bringing people together at a time of geo-political turmoils, going back to its inaugural edition which took place in the aftermath of the terror attacks of 9/11.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 1 Dec. 2024
The world that Williams built is not always as grim as our own pandemic era, yet it is beset by its own terrors.
—Sarah Jones, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for terror 
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Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
But Houthi predation could be curtailed dramatically if America and its allies move to a policy of extended attribution, whereby Houthi actions have consequences not only for the Yemeni terror group itself but for its paymasters in Tehran as well.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Ultimately, the festival also has played a role in bringing people together at a time of geo-political turmoils, going back to its inaugural edition which took place in the aftermath of the terror attacks of 9/11.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 1 Dec. 2024
The world that Williams built is not always as grim as our own pandemic era, yet it is beset by its own terrors.
—Sarah Jones, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for terror
Articles Related to terror
Dictionary Entries Near terror
Cite this Entry
“Terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terror. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
terror
noun
ter·ror
ˈter-ər 
1
: a state of great fear
2
: a cause of great fear
3
a
: a dreadful person or thing
b
informal
: an unruly child
4
: violent or destructive acts (as bombing) committed by a group as a way of achieving its goals
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