terror

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Politics

n. the use of violence and threats to scare people for political reasons.

n. the systematic use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, to achieve political or ideological goals.

“The government promised to fight against international terror.”

“The global campaign against terror has led to significant changes in international security protocols and border control measures.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal

n. a person, especially a child, who is very difficult to manage or causes a lot of trouble.

n. a person or thing that causes extreme annoyance or difficulty; frequently applied to unruly children.

“Their youngest son is a little terror when he doesn't get his way.”

“The new puppy proved to be a complete terror, chewing through several expensive cables within his first week in the house.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun History Formal

n. a famous period of extreme violence during the French Revolution.

n. a period of the French Revolution characterised by mass executions and state-sanctioned violence. Usually capitalised as 'the Terror'.

“We studied the Terror and the fall of Robespierre in our history class.”

“Historians often debate the specific socio-political factors that allowed the Terror to escalate so rapidly in eighteenth-century France.”