sleeper cell
noun
: a terrorist cell whose members work under cover in an area until sent into action
Examples of sleeper cell in a Sentence
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When Curt Cignetti was hired just more than two years ago, it was considered a smart move by the athletic department, but no one kidded themselves that Indiana was some sort of raucous fan sleeper cell just waiting to be activated.
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Will Leitch, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Like a sleeper cell, five-toe shoes stayed in their lane, enjoying decades of quiet success until the time was right.
—Kelsey Stiegman, Refinery29, 13 Aug. 2025
The Hill’s Miriam Waldvogel wrote a helpful explainer on sleeper cell threats.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 26 June 2025
Syria’s Interior Ministry has said a sleeper cell belonging to the Islamic State group was behind the attack at the Church of the Holy Cross, which killed at least 25 people.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
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Will Leitch, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Like a sleeper cell, five-toe shoes stayed in their lane, enjoying decades of quiet success until the time was right.
—Kelsey Stiegman, Refinery29, 13 Aug. 2025
The Hill’s Miriam Waldvogel wrote a helpful explainer on sleeper cell threats.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 26 June 2025
Syria’s Interior Ministry has said a sleeper cell belonging to the Islamic State group was behind the attack at the Church of the Holy Cross, which killed at least 25 people.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleeper cell
Cite this Entry
“Sleeper cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleeper%20cell. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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