terror seized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terror seized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear or panic that takes hold of someone. Example: "As the news of the disaster spread, terror seized the crowd, leaving them frozen in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A clammy terror seized me.

The New Yorker

When I got home, terror seized me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As stories emerge of regime figures – army generals, notorious security chiefs, doctors accused of torture – murdered in their homes, a new terror seizes the complicit middle-class.

The New York Times

Yet as our teacher prompted the conversation of terrorism, and particularly the relationship between the Intifada and the "war on terror", David seized the opportunity to parade his perspective.

Huffington Post

/ I remember the glint in her voice as she said it, / the icy terror that seized me.

The Guardian - Books

Terry Butcher, now a successful manager in Scotland, chuckled gently as he recalled the quiet terror which seized him as a young player entering annual contract negotiations with Robson.

Independent

Militants from the terror group seized a small Syrian military base and station near Palmyra, a day after routing government forces from the ancient city.

The Guardian

In recent months, Mr. Wolfowitz said, Indonesia has provided "significant cooperation," even handing over a Pakistani terror suspect seized on its territory.

The New York Times

Mr. Erkel, a 33-year-old Dutch citizen who was leading an effort to provide medical services and other assistance in a region ravaged by war and terror, was seized and driven away by three gunmen.

The New York Times

TRIPOLI, Libya — A state of terror has seized two working-class neighborhoods here that just a week ago exploded in revolt, with residents reporting constant surveillance, searches of cars and even cellphones by militiamen with Kalashnikovs at block-by-block checkpoints and a rash of disappearances of those involved in last week's protest.

The New York Times

The terror group seized the coastal city in 2015, turning it into its main stronghold outside of Iraq and Syria and drawing a large number of foreign fighters.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terror seized" to vividly depict a moment when someone is suddenly overcome by intense fear. This phrase is particularly effective in narrative writing to create a strong emotional impact.

Common error

Avoid using "terror seized" when describing inanimate objects or situations that inspire fear but are not experiencing it themselves. For example, instead of saying "The haunted house was terror seized", it's more accurate to say "The haunted house inspired terror".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terror seized" functions as a descriptive verb phrase, vividly portraying the sudden and intense onset of fear. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English and provides examples of its use in reputable sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terror seized" is a grammatically correct and evocative phrase used to describe the sudden onset of intense fear. Ludwig AI analysis of various sources shows that it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, conveying a strong emotional impact. While less common, its impactful nature makes it a powerful tool for narrative writing. Related phrases like "panic gripped" or "fear overwhelmed" offer similar but nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

panic gripped

Replaces "terror" with "panic" and "seized" with "gripped", focusing on the sudden overwhelming nature of panic.

fear overwhelmed

Substitutes "terror" with "fear" and "seized" with "overwhelmed", emphasizing the feeling of being completely overcome by fear.

dread consumed

Replaces "terror" with "dread" and "seized" with "consumed", highlighting the consuming aspect of intense dread.

horror took hold

Substitutes "terror" with "horror" and "seized" with "took hold", emphasizing the gripping and dominating nature of horror.

alarm surged

Replaces "terror" with "alarm" and "seized" with "surged", suggesting a rapid and intense increase in alarm.

apprehension mounted

Substitutes "terror" with "apprehension" and "seized" with "mounted", indicating a gradual but escalating sense of unease.

anxiety engulfed

Replaces "terror" with "anxiety" and "seized" with "engulfed", highlighting the all-encompassing nature of anxiety.

despair descended

Substitutes "terror" with "despair" and "seized" with "descended", emphasizing the arrival and imposition of despair.

a wave of fear washed over

Uses a more descriptive and figurative expression to convey a sudden feeling of fear.

a chill of terror ran down the spine

Offers a more visceral description of the physical sensation associated with sudden terror.

FAQs

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

Use "terror seized" to vividly describe the sudden onset of intense fear in a person or group. For example, "As the earthquake began, "terror seized" the crowd".

What are some alternatives to "terror seized"?

Alternatives include "panic gripped", "fear overwhelmed", or "dread consumed", each suggesting a similar but slightly different nuance of sudden fear.

Is it correct to say "terror was seized" instead of "terror seized"?

No, "terror was seized" is grammatically incorrect in this context. The correct phrasing is "terror seized", indicating that the terror is the active force taking hold.

What's the difference between "terror seized" and "fear gripped"?

"Terror seized" suggests a sudden and overwhelming onset of extreme fear, while "fear gripped" implies a strong hold that may be more gradual or prolonged. Both describe intense fear, but the former emphasizes the suddenness.