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

The case centers on 137 Venezuelan men who were unlawfully in the United States and flown overnight on March 15 to El Salvador’s terrorism confinement center, CECOT, without advance notice or court hearings. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026

Carro, in September, dismissed terrorism charges after finding Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office had misapplied a statute enacted in the wake of 9/11. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026

The superseding indictment adds four counts of acts of terrorism while armed, two counts each of first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026

The prosecutor’s statement said that in addition to assisting Hamas during the war, all of the defendants were charged with financing terrorism activity, fraud and bribery. —Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing terrorism

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

Rhymes for terrorism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

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