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night terror
noun
: a sudden awakening in dazed terror that occurs in children during slow-wave sleep, is often preceded by a sudden shrill cry uttered in sleep, and is not remembered when the child awakes
—usually used in plural
Examples of night terror in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Approximately 5% of children sleepwalk, 10% to 17% snore, and around 30% experience night terrors.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 21 June 2024
This group also includes nightmares, night terrors, and sleep paralysis.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 3 June 2024
Speaking of Ben, producers showed your efforts to support Ben through his anxiety and night terrors.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024
Petty also received praise from fans after helping Ben, a fellow castaway, through night terrors and panic attacks during her time on the island.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2024
There’s an earlier scene in the movie where Margaret’s having a night terror or vision, and this voice comes in and starts parroting her and mimicking her or speaking alongside her.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
Grab your crucifix and watch out for night terrors: Evil is returning.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 11 May 2023
Common symptoms of night terrors include heavy breathing, screaming, sweating, and thrashing movements.
—Mara Betsch, Health, 10 June 2023
As the drugs and adrenaline wore off, doctors said, there were night terrors, anxiety attacks, tantrums.
—Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'night terror.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1889, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near night terror
Cite this Entry
“Night terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/night%20terror. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Medical Definition
night terror
noun
night ter·ror
-ˈter-ər
: a sudden awakening in dazed terror that occurs in children during slow-wave sleep, is often preceded by a sudden shrill cry uttered in sleep, and is not remembered when the child awakes
—usually used in plural
called also pavor nocturnus
More from Merriam-Webster on night terror
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about night terror
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