Words / B2

TER-uh/ˈterə/

Terror is extreme fear, or violence used to create that fear: in terror; a campaign of terror. Terrorism is the political tactic (already in the dictionary); a terrorist is a person (next entry). Flee in terror featured in the witness statement. Mix-up: error; terrace. Do not write terror for ordinary worry, or as a casual insult.

Meaning

Extreme fear, or violence used to create that fear.

Examples

• “Witnesses fled in terror, the inquiry transcript said.”
• “A campaign of terror featured in the history source, which is the violence-to-frighten sense — not a film title.”

Good to know

in terror; a campaign / reign of terror; spread terror. Tactic: terrorism. Person: terrorist. Trap: error. History, news, and literature. Extreme fear, or violence meant to cause it.

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