Terror vs Horror
Terror and horror are closely related, which can make it difficult to distinguish between the two. It is especially challenging when one does not have a clear understanding of the meanings and connotations of each term. Although they are interrelated words in the English language with similar meanings, there are different connotations of the two words used in various contexts. Many people mistakenly think they mean the same thing and use them interchangeably. However, there are differences between the terms terror and horror, which are addressed in this article. Writers and filmmakers often utilize both terror and horror in their creations, and there is even a genre called horror for books and films.
What does Terror mean?
Terror is the intense fear we feel in anticipation of something happening. It can be described as raw fear. Terror is an emotion felt when we are in great and immediate fear, often provoked by danger and menace. For example, when you suddenly find yourself in a jungle in front of a tiger. Terror is the feeling experienced by people confronted by terrorists. It activates the sympathetic nervous system and prepares the body for a fight or flight response. Being terrified is a whole-body experience. Terror is more realistic as it is felt inside for something happening to oneself. Terror is the feeling one gets when a person is trying to kill them using a chainsaw.
For example:
The house was deserted. I was terrified to hear the creaking sound of the door.
In this case, terrified is used because the speaker is feeling afraid. After feeling afraid for some time, when a noise occurs, a person is terrified.
Terror – when you face a tiger in the jungle.
What does Horror mean?
Horror is the revulsion we feel when something we feared for actually happens. It can be described as digested fear. Being horrified may lead to nausea or revulsion, as one might feel when they see something bizarre and terrifying. We are appalled by what we see, such as when one sees worms inside wounds of an animal or person. Horror is an emotional experience that has more to do with what is happening around us rather than what is happening to us. It is a feeling aroused when one sees the trail of destruction as an observer. Horror is a feeling of disgust that is more disturbing and psychological in nature, with a feeling of revulsion that is absent in terror. You could feel horrified when you see a movie in which someone is being murdered with a chainsaw.
Both terror and horror have been made great use of by Gothic writers in their plots and novels. Writers create suspense in their stories to create terror in the minds of readers. As suspense builds, terror rises in our minds as we are afraid of what is going to happen next. When the event does take place, the emotion of terror changes into horror. For example, in most horror movies when a ghost or supernatural being comes into play for the first time after building suspense for a while, what the viewer feels is terror. Then, once the creature kills or haunts or does what it is set out to do, the viewer is filled with horror.
For example:
I was horrified to see that man hitting his wife.
Since this act creates revulsion and surprise in the mind of the speaker, it brings horror to his/her mind.
Horror – when you see someone being murdered by a chainsaw.
What is the difference between Terror and Horror?
• Both terror and horror are human emotions that evoke different responses.
• Terror relates to extreme fear and anxiety, whereas horror relates more to revulsion.
• Both terror and horror are fear, but whereas terror is raw fear, horror is digested fear.
• Horror is a feeling more likely to be aroused when we are watching horror movies, whereas terror relates more to terrorism.
• You feel horrified when you see something very disturbing or unpleasing.
• You feel terrified when you are under imminent danger.
Key Takeaways
- Terror is the intense fear we feel in anticipation of something happening, while horror is the revulsion we feel when something we feared for actually happens.
- Terror is more about the fear and anxiety experienced in a dangerous situation, while horror is more about the disgust and revulsion felt when witnessing something disturbing.
- Both terror and horror are human emotions that evoke different responses and are used by writers and filmmakers to create suspense and engage audiences.
