arouse terror

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arouse terror" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is describing the act of instilling fear or dread in others. Example: "The horror movie was designed to arouse terror in its audience, leaving them on the edge of their seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Aristotle states that the purpose of tragedy is to arouse "terror and pity" and thereby effect the catharsis of these emotions.

Britannica

The awful image of a single crop duster killing off most of a major American city primes the public to be so terrified that any attack would arouse terror.

Huffington Post

I've already written about how utopian ideologies motivate and rationalize atrocities, and how such acts arouse terror in our minds.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Dedalus is referring to the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who said that tragedy must arouse pity and terror.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a remarkable piece of music theatre that arouses pity and terror – as classical tragedy always should.

The Guardian - Music

The plotting of this first novel may strain credulity, but when a young woman who has been promised the world is sentenced to eight years of solitary confinement inside her own head, her high-tech ordeal is evoked in a stylistic and psychological tour de force that arouses both pity and terror.

The New York Times - Books

Horrorism, in other words, arouses not fear or terror, but rather a deep repugnance that sickens us to our stomachs.

Vice

The glut of murders depicted in I am Back is too stylized to arouse any real terror.

The Guardian

The terror they caused aroused outrage across the world; the Bush administration called the killings genocide.

The New York Times

Another question must be answered first: whether the music industry will ever be able to charge for music again.Until quite recently, the piracy issue aroused more intellectual curiosity than terror.

The Economist

Their struggles with the authorities and with one another arouse both pity and terror, and while the resolution of Jackal's problems may be a bit pat, her growing up is a rite of passage I won't soon forget.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arouse terror" when you want to emphasize the act of instilling a strong sense of fear or dread, often in a deliberate or manipulative way. It is particularly effective when discussing emotional responses in literature, politics, or social commentary.

Common error

Avoid using "arouse terror" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It's a strong phrase best reserved for situations where the level of fear is significant and the context is serious. Using it casually can sound melodramatic or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arouse terror" functions as a verb phrase, where "arouse" acts as a transitive verb taking "terror" as its direct object. Its primary grammatical function is to describe the action of instilling or evoking fear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Encyclopedias

33.33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "arouse terror" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the act of instilling a strong sense of fear or dread. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for contexts where fear is significant, such as literature, politics, or social commentary. While relatively infrequent, the phrase appears in reputable sources like encyclopedias and news outlets. Alternatives include "instill terror" or "evoke terror", providing nuanced options for expressing the creation or intensification of fear. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations that warrant its intensity, avoiding overuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instill terror

Replaces "arouse" with "instill", focusing on the act of implanting fear.

evoke terror

Substitutes "arouse" with "evoke", highlighting the act of calling forth fear.

provoke terror

Changes "arouse" to "provoke", suggesting that something triggers the terror.

incite terror

Replaces "arouse" with "incite", implying a deliberate act of stirring up fear.

generate terror

Changes "arouse" to "generate", focusing on the creation of fear.

spark terror

Substitutes "arouse" with "spark", highlighting a sudden and intense burst of fear.

create terror

Replaces "arouse" with "create", emphasizing the act of constructing fear.

foment terror

Changes "arouse" to "foment", suggesting a deliberate and sustained effort to stir up fear.

stir up terror

Replaces "arouse" with the phrasal verb "stir up", emphasizing the act of agitating or provoking fear.

elicit terror

Changes "arouse" with "elicit" which means to draw forth or bring out.

FAQs

How can I use "arouse terror" in a sentence?

You can use "arouse terror" to describe something that instills a strong sense of fear. For example, "The dictator's propaganda was designed to arouse terror in the population".

What are some alternatives to "arouse terror"?

Alternatives include "instill terror", "evoke terror", or "provoke terror", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "arouse terror" a formal or informal phrase?

"Arouse terror" is a relatively formal phrase, best suited for serious or literary contexts. It is less common in everyday conversation.

What is the difference between "arouse terror" and "cause fear"?

"Arouse terror" suggests a deeper, more intense level of fear than simply "cause fear". Terror implies a state of extreme dread, while fear can be a more general feeling of apprehension.