tears of terror

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tears of terror" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of extreme fear or distress that causes someone to cry. Example: "As the horror movie reached its climax, she was left in tears of terror, unable to look away from the screen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Theirs are tears of terror.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Method actors, for instance, can produce radiant smiles by force of imagination, just as they produce hot tears, shrieks of terror, gusts of indignation, and blasts of rage.

The New Yorker

Once, exhausted, rain-drenched and on his own, he broke down in tears of fatigue and terror and cried out for his mother.

The Guardian - Books

We will tear down the apparatus of terror, and we will help you to build a new Iraq that is prosperous and free.

Independent

It's not clear whether he just had garden-variety A.D.H.D. and as a kid seemed like some kind of terror tearing around the neighborhood, or if it was something else.

The New York Times

The journey was a blur of tears and terror, weeping for the city and friends she was leaving behind, frightened that the evacuation bus with a picture of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, stuck to the windscreen would be halted by government troops.

The Guardian

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

Horror is of the body, after all, and with Lutton parading onstage a panoply of his cleverest directorial dazzles so expertly he manages to tear genuine screams from his audience in moments of terror, it's a real missed trick.

The Guardian

He meanwhile used his few minutes at the UN to urge the world not to buy the "crocodile tears" he said were shed by Iranian president Hassan Rouhani about the spread of terror in the region.

Independent

We've had enough of the police brutality, of the colorblind mythologies and post-racial rhetoric, of the sweet-talk, of the calls for non-violence; of mass incarceration and systemic poverty, of trigger happy cops and crying black mothers, of the Eric Garners and Renisha McBrides, the Michael Browns and Tarika Wilsons; of black tears and white terror.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Yesterday," says Fatimah, now gasping with tears and terror, "I was sleeping; they beat me, and kicked me out of the house".

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tears of terror" to vividly depict a character's or subject's extreme fear in a narrative or descriptive context. This phrase is most effective when you want to emphasize the overwhelming and paralyzing nature of fear, prompting a strong emotional response in the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "tears of terror" to describe mild anxiety or simple nervousness. The phrase implies a severe and intense fear, so reserve it for situations where the level of dread is exceptionally high. Using it inappropriately can dilute its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tears of terror" functions as a noun phrase that vividly describes a specific type of crying caused by intense fear. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct, and the examples illustrate its usage in contexts involving extreme emotional distress.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tears of terror" is a powerful expression used to describe crying resulting from intense fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appears in various reputable sources, including news media and scientific articles. While the phrase itself is relatively uncommon, its usage is consistent in depicting situations of extreme emotional distress. Alternatives such as "sobs of fear" or "cries of fright" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When employing "tears of terror" in writing, ensure the context warrants such a strong emotional portrayal to avoid melodrama. Use it judiciously to enhance the impact of your narrative or description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sobs of fear

Replaces "tears" with "sobs", emphasizing the physical act of crying due to fear.

cries of fright

Substitutes "tears" with "cries" and "terror" with "fright", focusing on the vocal expression of fear.

weeping in fear

Uses "weeping" as a more descriptive verb for crying and specifies "fear" as the cause.

bawling from terror

Replaces "tears" with "bawling", indicating loud and unrestrained crying due to terror.

inconsolable sobs of fear

Adds "inconsolable" to highlight the depth and persistence of the sobs caused by fear.

shrieks of terror

Shifts the focus from crying to screaming, expressing a more vocal reaction to terror.

paralyzed with fear

Focuses on the immobilizing effect of fear, rather than the expression of tears.

frozen in terror

Highlights the state of being unable to move due to intense fear.

stricken with terror

Emphasizes the sudden and overwhelming impact of terror.

heart pounding with dread

Shifts the focus to the physical sensation of fear, specifically a racing heart.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "tears of terror" in a sentence?

To effectively use "tears of terror", place it in contexts where the subject is experiencing extreme fear or trauma. For example, "The victim recounted the event in "tears of terror", reliving the horrific experience."

What are some alternatives to "tears of terror"?

You can use alternatives like "sobs of fear", "cries of fright", or "weeping in fear" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "tears of fear" and "tears of terror"?

"Tears of fear" generally describes a broad spectrum of fear-induced crying, whereas "tears of terror" specifies a state of extreme, overwhelming fear, suggesting a more intense emotional response.

Is "tears of terror" an overused phrase?

While not as common as some other emotional expressions, "tears of terror" is a powerful phrase. Use it judiciously to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives if the context doesn't warrant such intense emotion.