sleeper cell

noun

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of sleeper cell

: a terrorist cell whose members work under cover in an area until sent into action

Recent Examples of sleeper cell from the Web

Also, Assyrians fear the mountain could be mined or shelter IS sleeper cells.

— sarah el deeb, The Christian Science Monitor, "Assyrians in Syria celebrate traditions despite dangers," 3 Apr. 2018
The refugee camps are thought to be full of sleeper cells, padlocked behind wire fencing.

— The Economist, "Fifteen years after America’s invasion, Iraq is getting back on its feet," 28 Mar. 2018
Daniels is fascinating, a sleeper cell who is unlikely to end this presidency but could yet hasten its demise.

— frank rich, Daily Intelligencer, "The Hidden Logic of Trump’s Staff Exodus," 14 Mar. 2018
Al-Abadi met security officials in charge of Baghdad, ordering them to root out militant sleeper cells, according to a brief statement issued by his office.

— murtada faraj, The Seattle Times, "Twin bombings in Baghdad kill 38, shatter post-IS calm," 15 Jan. 2018
The investigation also uncovered information about a potential American sleeper cell led by al-Qaeda in the United States.

— ellen gamerman, WSJ, "How an FBI Agent Foiled an al-Qaeda Terrorist Plot," 23 Oct. 2017
The Islamic State may also have undercover operatives or sleeper cells outside the Middle East.

— margaret coker, eric schmitt and rukmini callimachi, New York Times, "With Loss of Its Caliphate, ISIS May Return to Guerrilla Roots," 18 Oct. 2017
Soldiers, residents and police warned us about Islamic State tunnels and sleeper cells.

— molly hennessy-fiske, www.latimes.com, "A trip through horror, confusion and contradictions in Syria," 18 Oct. 2017
Mustafa Abdi, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, said that military operations had halted and that members of the joint Kurdish-Arab force were clearing the city of explosive devices and hunting for sleeper cells.

— louisa loveluck, Washington Post, "The defeat of ISIS in Raqqa tests U.S. commitment to Syrian Kurds," 17 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sleeper cell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.