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 couple was flown to New York to face drug and terrorism charges, drawing sharp criticism from foreign governments about the legality of the attack. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026

In June, the State Department suspended visa issuance, such as visitor and student visas, to those from certain countries, including Venezuela, under a presidential proclamation restricting the entry of foreign nationals based on terrorism and public safety threats. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026

After their capture, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown by the military to New York to face a Manhattan Federal Court indictment on narcotics trafficking and terrorism charges. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026

Trump alleged that Venezuela was using oil to fund drug trafficking, terrorism and other crimes. —Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 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