a very troublesome child
"After three hours of tantrums and screaming, my parents finally agreed to take their terror out for ice cream."
the use of extreme fear in order to coerce people (especially for political reasons)
"he used terror to make them confess"
Intense dread, fright, or fear.
"The sudden crash of thunder filled her with an overwhelming terror as she stood alone in the dark attic."
In plain English: Terror is an extreme feeling of great fear that makes you feel unsafe and helpless.
"The sudden loud noise filled everyone with terror."
Usage: Use terror to describe extreme panic that often causes paralysis rather than just general worry. It is stronger and more visceral than synonyms like fear or alarm when referring to situations involving immediate danger.
The word "terror" entered English in the late Middle Ages via Old French, where it originally meant fear or dread. It traces its roots back to Latin words for frightening and shaking, ultimately deriving from an ancient Indo-European root meaning to tremble.