in terrorem

adverb

As a warning or deterrent; in order to terrify or deter others.

OriginLatin in →
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Meanings

adverbin terrorem (not comparable)
  1. not comparableAs a warning or deterrent; in order to terrify or deter others.

    This idea that the Treaty of Rome, like diamonds, is forever, is held in terrorem over people.

    1971 July 1, Daily Telegraph
    1 more example

    [N]otwithstanding the intercession of his governor, who begged earnestly that his punishment might be mitigated, our unfortunate hero was publickly horsed, in terrorem of all whom it might concern.

    1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC

Origin

  1. Latinin
  2. Englishin terrorem

From Latin in terrorem.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

in terrorem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20terrorem

MLA

“in terrorem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20terrorem. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “in terrorem,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20terrorem.

Source: in terrorem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.