What is the Difference Between Terror and Horror?

The difference between terror and horror lies in the emotions they evoke and the timing of those emotions.

• Terror is usually described as the feeling of dread and anticipation that precedes a horrifying experience. It is more related to being anxious or fearful, and it is characterized by "obscurity" or indeterminacy in its treatment, which leads to the sublime. Terror can be considered a milder form of fear, often associated with anticipation and uncertainty.
• Horror, on the other hand, is the feeling of revulsion that usually follows a frightening sight, sound, or experience. It is more related to being shocked or scared (being horrified) at an awful realization or an event. Horror is an emotional and physical reaction to the depravity that underlies those in the form of the monstrous body that causes the terror.

In summary, terror is the anticipation and dread of a horrifying experience, while horror is the feeling of revulsion and shock that follows the experience. Both emotions are part of the horror genre in film and fiction, which relies on horrifying images or situations to tell stories.

Comparative Table: Terror vs Horror

The difference between terror and horror can be summarized as follows:

In essence, terror is the anticipation of something frightening, while horror is the reaction to a shocking or gruesome event that has already occurred. Both emotions are present in the horror genre, with terror often building up to a moment of horrifying revelation, and horror being the response to that revelation.