# terror

/ˈtɛɹɝ/ (US) · /tˈɛɹɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/terror
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. extreme fear

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of very strong fear or dread.

For teachers: a state of intense, overwhelming fear or dread. Uncountable in its abstract sense.

- The passengers watched in terror as the engine began to smoke.
- A look of pure terror crossed his face when he realised the safety harness had not been properly secured before the climb.

### 2. terrorism

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a troublesome person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. The Reign of Terror

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a famous period of extreme violence during the French Revolution.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The loud explosion filled the crowd with terror.
- The regime used state-sponsored terror to silence political opponents and maintain absolute control over the population.
- Historians often distinguish between the spontaneous violence of the revolution and the organized terror implemented by the committee to consolidate its fragile authority.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.