Joy and Terror

Opposite meaning words

Joy noun - A feeling or state of well-being and contentment.

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Terror is an antonym for joy.

Nearby Words: joyful, joyous, joyless, joyfully, joyously

Terror noun - A source of persistent emotional distress.

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Joy is an antonym for terror in intense fear topic.

pure	pure joy	pure terror
unadulterated	unadulterated joy	unadulterated terror
utter	utter joy	utter terror
endless	endless joy	endless terror
Other adjectives: true, genuine, single, sheer, deep, simple, real, extreme, great, general, fiendish, overwhelming, greatest, sudden.

I want to run around the room screaming right now, Im not sure if in joy or terror.

Source: Fanfic / A Crown of Stars
Hamilton when he meets her on leave was angry at Washington for sending him away when he was needed; hearing that he's going to be a father during revolution brings joy and terror.

Source: Theatre / Hamilton
This type of subversion is similar in its origins to the Evil Clown trope—clowns are supposed to be associated with joy, and thus it creates a rich irony to associate them with terror.

Source: Battleaxe Nurse

Cite this Source

Terror and Joy. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/joy/terror

Joy & Terror. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/joy/terror>.

Terror or Joy. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/joy/terror.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "joy" and "terror" have occurred on timeline