terror of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terror of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of extreme fear or dread associated with a particular person, situation, or thing. Example: "The terror of the approaching storm kept everyone indoors, fearing the worst."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A terror of excess?

The New Yorker

That was the terror of it".

The New York Times

"He experienced the terror of extremist Muslims".

The New York Times

The terror of a possible whiteout.

The New Yorker

The terror of potential loss flooded in.

The New York Times

The terror of it.

The Guardian

A terror of being exposed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The terror of eye contact!

The New Yorker

"It's the terror of infinity.

The Guardian - Arts

The constant terror of God's wrath.

The Guardian - Film

It resists "the terror of minimalism".

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terror of" to convey a strong sense of fear or dread, particularly when emphasizing the psychological impact of a situation or event. For instance, describe "the terror of public speaking" to highlight the intense anxiety experienced by those who fear it.

Common error

Avoid using "terror of" when a simpler expression like "fear of" or "dislike of" would suffice. Overusing "terror of" can weaken its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for truly intense situations to maintain its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terror of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes a state of extreme fear or dread associated with a particular thing, person, or situation. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase often connects a feeling of intense fear with its source.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "terror of" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe intense fear or dread. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media, and to a lesser extent in scientific and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "fear of" or "dread of" exist, "terror of" is most effective when conveying a profound psychological impact. To ensure clarity and avoid melodrama, reserve this powerful phrase for situations that genuinely evoke a sense of extreme fear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fear of

Replaces "terror" with a more common synonym, making the phrase less intense.

dread of

Substitutes "terror" with "dread", indicating a strong feeling of apprehension about something that might happen.

horror of

Replaces "terror" with "horror", emphasizing the feeling of revulsion and intense fear.

anxiety about

Shifts the focus to anxiety, a more general feeling of worry and unease, rather than intense fear.

apprehension about

Uses "apprehension" to convey a sense of worry or fear that something unpleasant might happen.

panic about

Replaces "terror" with "panic", suggesting a sudden, overwhelming fear.

aversion to

Indicates a strong dislike or disinclination, which can be related to fear.

dislike of

Expresses a general feeling of not liking something, which can be associated with mild fear or discomfort.

unease about

Conveys a feeling of discomfort or anxiety about a situation.

intimidation by

Focuses on the feeling of being intimidated, which involves fear of being threatened or controlled.

FAQs

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

Use "terror of" to describe an intense feeling of fear or dread associated with something. For example, "She felt the terror of heights whenever she looked down from the skyscraper".

What are some alternatives to "terror of"?

You can use alternatives such as "fear of", "dread of", or "horror of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "terror of" or "fear of"?

"Terror of" implies a more intense and overwhelming feeling than "fear of". Use "terror of" when you want to emphasize the extreme psychological impact of something.

When is it inappropriate to use "terror of"?

Avoid using "terror of" in situations where the level of fear is mild or moderate. Using it in such contexts can sound exaggerated or melodramatic. Simpler terms like "dislike of" or "unease about" may be more suitable.