<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-01-18</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000097216</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TEREX CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TEX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001561950</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KLINKNER RAIMUND</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O TEREX CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>200 NYALA FARM ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WESTPORT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06880</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $ .01 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-01-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1543</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>31.53</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>29629</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares are being withheld for payment of the tax liability associated with a previously scheduled distribution from the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Pursuant to the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, the shares were valued as of the close of business on December 30, 2016</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Ownership includes shares received as a dividend.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Scott J. Posner, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-01-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0306
4
2017-01-18
0000097216
TEREX CORP
TEX
0001561950
KLINKNER RAIMUND
C/O TEREX CORPORATION
200 NYALA FARM ROAD
WESTPORT
CT
06880
1
0
0
0
Common Stock, $ .01 par value
2017-01-18
4
F
0
1543
31.53
D
29629
D
Shares are being withheld for payment of the tax liability associated with a previously scheduled distribution from the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan.
Pursuant to the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, the shares were valued as of the close of business on December 30, 2016
Ownership includes shares received as a dividend.
/s/ Scott J. Posner, by power of attorney
2017-01-19