terror-struck
- adjective
- /ˈtɛrər strʌk/
- He stood terror-struck as the shadow approached him in the dark alley.
Examples
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When the loud explosion went off, she was left terror-struck in the middle of the street.
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You can answer that, she said, which is what she always said, because he looked terror-struck as a spotted deer when it rang, and then she would pretend not to be paying attention; she would busy herself combing her hair or showering.
Fiction book (2001) -
Speaker, a lot has been said since terror struck London yesterday.
-
Speaker, a lot has been said since terror struck London yesterday.
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The sudden growl of the bear made them feel terror-struck and unable to move.
Synonyms
Feeling very afraid because you think something bad will happen
Feeling very shocked and upset because something is terrible or frightening
So frightened that you cannot move or think clearly
Feeling sudden, strong fear that makes you act without thinking
To feel sudden strong fear and act without thinking
A very stunned and numb feeling after a sudden bad event
Feeling sudden, strong fear that makes it hard to think or act calmly
Suddenly afraid or worried because you think something bad might happen
Suddenly very afraid and acting without thinking
Being afraid because something seems dangerous
Suddenly feeling very frightened
So shocked and afraid that you cannot move
Feeling very shocked and afraid after seeing something frightening
Suddenly very afraid and unable to think clearly
Antonyms
How Scared
Surface Forms
Etymology
Terror-struck mixes terror, which comes from a Latin word meaning 'fear', and struck, the past of strike meaning 'to hit'. Imagine fear 'hitting' someone suddenly, and you see why terror-struck means being suddenly filled with very strong fear.