a tool of terror

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tool of terror" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is employed to instill fear or cause harm, often in a political or social context. Example: "The regime used propaganda as a tool of terror to suppress dissent and control the population."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

(Twitter, Mr. Chávez declared, is "a tool of terror").

The New York Times - Travel

Kidnapping is widely used by the Russian military, the local government and rebel fighters as a tool of terror.

The New York Times

The LRA has practised mutilation as a tool of terror, cutting off the lips, noses and ears of its victims.

The Guardian

The dictator is a student of Stalin, using murder as a tool of terror and control within his own cabinet, within his own army, even within his own family.

The New York Times

If a suicide bomber's satchel is a tool of terror, and a sniper's rifle a tool of assassination, what is a precision-guided missile aimed at a terrorist target that kills unintended victims?

The New York Times

The murder outside Woolwich barracks was the first time that beheading had been used as a tool of terror in the West and it has, understandably, spread shock and revulsion.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Public health and medical personnel quickly follow to administer tests, offer a soothing word and, if necessary, provide antibiotics to ward off the onset of a disease turned into a twisted tool of terror.

The New York Times

The dispute is a proxy for a debate — both here and abroad — over whether Israel should shift its policy toward the Palestinians and whether Hamas should be seen more as a resistance movement or as a tool of Iranian ambition and terror.

The New York Times

In some ways, the Syrian regime's latest tool of terror, barrel bombs, are nothing special.

The Washington Post

In some current conflicts, sexual violence (see Democratic Republic of Congo for example) is deployed as tool of terror against purported enemies, even if the victims are innocent women and children.

Huffington Post

I learned how families and villages have been torn apart through a plague of terror using sexual violence as a tool of destruction.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a tool of terror" to describe specific actions or policies that are intentionally designed to create fear and control within a population or group. For example: "The dictator used propaganda as "a tool of terror" to maintain power."

Common error

Avoid using "a tool of terror" in situations where the fear is not deliberately created or the situation is merely unsettling rather than genuinely terrorizing. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and appear hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tool of terror" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It identifies something used to cause extreme fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tool of terror" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes something used to instill fear and control. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's best suited for contexts where fear is deliberately created, and overuse should be avoided to maintain its impact. It appears most frequently in news and academic sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "instrument of terror" and "mechanism of terror", offering subtle variations in meaning. Remember to employ this phrase judiciously to accurately reflect situations where fear is intentionally used as a means of control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Instrument of terror

Replaces "tool" with "instrument", implying a more formal or deliberate application of terror.

Mechanism of terror

Substitutes "tool" with "mechanism", suggesting a more complex or systematic process of instilling terror.

Vehicle of terror

Replaces "tool" with "vehicle", highlighting the means by which terror is spread or enacted.

Means of instilling terror

Rephrases the entire expression, focusing on the act of instilling terror rather than the specific tool.

Method for spreading terror

Similar to the previous alternative, but emphasizes the dissemination of terror.

Tactic of terror

Replaces "tool" with "tactic", referring to a strategic approach using terror.

Agent of terror

Changes "tool" to "agent", personifying what causes terror.

Source of terror

Shifts focus to the origin or cause of terror, rather than the instrument used.

Cause of fear

Simplifies the phrase, replacing "terror" with "fear", which can sometimes lessen the intensity.

Source of intimidation

Replaces "terror" with "intimidation", focusing on creating fear rather than outright violence.

FAQs

How can I use "a tool of terror" in a sentence?

You can use "a tool of terror" to describe something that is used to create fear and control. For example, "The government employed censorship as "a tool of terror" to silence dissent."

What are some synonyms for "a tool of terror"?

Alternatives include "instrument of terror", "mechanism of terror", or "means of instilling terror", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a tool of terror" in formal writing?

Yes, "a tool of terror" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing political science, history, or international relations, where the deliberate use of fear as a control mechanism is a central theme.

What is the difference between "a tool of terror" and "a weapon of war"?

While both phrases describe instruments of conflict, "a tool of terror" specifically highlights the psychological impact of fear and intimidation, whereas "a weapon of war" refers more broadly to instruments used for physical violence and military objectives.