b wrote:
>>Ya, but the connontations are different.  So they aren't true synonyms.
> 
> 
> the idea of a synonym isn't being identical, having the same exact 
> connotations, intensity, but belonging to the same semantic group, in this 
> case fear terror like fright, horror etc...
> there are also "related words" ( apprehension, timidity angst...) but fear 
> and terror are more than related, they're synonyms.
> 
> Terror came into english from french "terreur", which itself came from latin 
> "terrere" , ie to frighten.
> During the french revolution there was what stuck as a "Reign of Terror" ( 
> la Terreur) under Robespierre, and the idiom came to mean a state or a 
> period of time marked by violence often committed by those in power that 
> produces widespread terror.
> Hence the modern use of "terror" to designate a position where violence 
> committed or threatened, is used intimidate or coerce a frightened 
> population, for military or political purposes, and "terrorism", the 
> systematic tactical use of terror, from threatened violence, as a means of 
> pressure and coercion.
> 
> The "what matters is to be feared" argument that Kevin seems to defend 
> smells like good Machiavelli to me, "better a feared prince than a loved 
> one".
> But I think this is ignoring one key element : the difference between fear 
> and hatred. When actions are felt as unfair, unjustified, fear is overcome 
> by hatred.
> Terrorist groups such as Al Quaeda are recycling fear into hatred.
> These fanatics do not fear the USA, but hate it, and are happy to die 
> fighting against it.
> I believe hatred, not fear, is the key element here.
> 
> b 

Thanks for the history lesson, but they still aren't synonyms. They 
aren't even the same part of speech. We cannot say, "Better to be terrored"

- Kevin