terror

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "terror" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use "terror" to express extreme fear, dread, or horror. For example: The terror in her eyes made it clear she wanted to escape the situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After the September 11 terror attacks, IMU militants fought with the Taliban in Afghanistan but were wiped out by US forces by 2002.

The Guardian

It is understood that the Boston archive includes claims by both dead and living IRA members that Adams as a senior commander in the organisation in 1972 came up with the idea of "disappearing" McConville rather than publicly admit the terror group had killed her.

The Guardian

Food banks hold no terror for him any more.

The Guardian

Osama bin Laden's son-in-law, the voice of fiery al-Qaida propaganda videotapes after the September 11 attacks, was convicted Wednesday of conspiring to kill Americans for his role as the terror group's spokesman.

The Guardian

Since then we have seen the terror threat level raised to severe and an increase in police arrests linked to terrorist activity in Syria.

The Guardian

Banks and bankers are now potential targets for the Real IRA, leaders of the dissident republican terror group have warned in an exclusive interview with the Guardian.

The Guardian

The terror group stressed in a series of written answers to the Guardian's questions that future attacks would alternate between the "military, political and economic targets".

The Guardian

In the text category, Taylor Auerbach of the Daily Telegraph has been nominated for his reports on slum landlords and Amnesty international, and Guardian Australia's own Michael Safi has been recognised for his reporting on terror and asylum seekers.

The Guardian

We have women who are killed by their husbands but we don't have any legitimate terror offences... "Yet the amount of money put into negative policing and punitive measures has really soured relations between Muslim community and ramped up the sense of fear and isolation in the community".

The Guardian

Australia, delivered from comfort to terror in the space of half an hour, stood no chance from the moment Warner fell to Tim Bresnan.

The Guardian - Sport

Countries such as Nigeria have suffered horribly from a terror based on religious extremism that is alien to their society.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terror" when you want to convey a sense of extreme fear or dread. It's stronger than simply 'fear' and implies a significant threat or danger.

Common error

Avoid using "terror" when 'fear' or 'anxiety' would suffice. Overusing strong words can dilute their impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The word "terror" functions primarily as a noun, denoting an intense feeling of fear or dread, or referring to something that causes such feelings. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing emotional states and violent acts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "terror" is a noun that signifies intense fear, dread, or the cause of such feelings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, "terror" serves to evoke strong emotions related to fear and danger. While alternatives like "fear" and "dread" exist, "terror" carries a stronger connotation. When writing, it's best to reserve "terror" for situations where you want to convey extreme fear, and avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fear

A more general term for an unpleasant emotion caused by the perception of danger or threat.

dread

Intense apprehension or fear related to a future event.

panic

A sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often leading to irrational behavior.

horror

An intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.

alarm

A feeling of anxiety or fear caused by the realization of danger.

apprehension

Anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

intimidation

The action of frightening or threatening someone, usually in order to persuade them to do something.

menace

A person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat or danger.

intimidation

The act of frightening someone into doing something.

consternation

Feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "terror" in a sentence?

You can use "terror" to describe a feeling of extreme fear or to refer to an act of violence intended to cause fear. For example, "The "terror" in her eyes was unmistakable" or "The country was under a cloud of "terror" after the attacks".

What words are similar to "terror"?

Alternatives to "terror" include "fear", "dread", "panic", "horror", and "alarm", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "terror" as a synonym for "terrorism"?

While "terror" can refer to terrorism, it is more commonly used to describe the feeling of intense fear. "Terrorism" is the more precise term for organized violence intended to create fear for political purposes.

What is the difference between "terror" and "horror"?

"Terror" typically refers to a feeling of intense fear and anticipation of something dreadful, whereas "horror" is the feeling of revulsion or shock after witnessing something awful. You might experience terror before an attack and horror after it.