terrorism

noun

ter·​ror·​ism ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm 

: the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion

Examples of terrorism in a Sentence

They have been arrested for acts of terrorism.

Recent Examples on the Web

How Israeli Extremists Took Over: After 50 years of failure to stop violence and terrorism against Palestinians by Jewish ultranationalists, lawlessness has become the law. —Rachel Poser January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 4 June 2024

Swamy may have been the oldest person ever charged with terrorism in India. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 2 June 2024

The embargo is still in place, and Cuba’s being on the U.S. list of countries that sponsor terrorism carries significant financial restrictions. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 May 2024

Agents’ focus expanded to include preventing terrorism. —Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing terrorism

• anti-terrorism
• counter-terrorism
• narco-terrorism
• state terrorism

Kids Definition

terrorism

noun

ter·​ror·​ism ˈter-ər-ˌiz-əm 

: the use of terror as a means of achieving a goal

terrorist

-ər-əst 

adjective or noun

Legal Definition

terrorism

noun

ter·​ror·​ism ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm 

1

: the unlawful use or threat of violence especially against the state or the public as a politically motivated means of attack or coercion

2

: violent and intimidating gang activity

street terrorism

terrorist

-ist 

adjective or noun

terroristic

ˌter-ər-ˈis-tik 

adjective