terrorist

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noun

ter·​ror·​ist ˈter-ər-ist 

plural terrorists

: an advocate or practitioner of terrorism as a means of coercion

Opposition still runs high to the idea of releasing or bringing into U.S. prisons dozens of men widely considered dangerous terrorists even if many are not.

Less than three weeks before the Winter Olympics are set to begin in the Russian city of Sochi, police there have begun hunting for suspected terrorists allegedly plotting attacks.

—Time

terrorist

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adjective

: or, relating to, or characteristic of terrorists or terrorism : practicing or involving violent acts of terror

a terrorist organization

The consequences of the U.S. response to the terrorist attacks of September 2001 will ramify for decades.

—Joe Klein

There is no margin for error when a real terrorist threat is present and the safety of the public, and the first responders, is in jeopardy.

—Gary J. Laughlin

Examples of terrorist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Also on Friday, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked further deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime statute revived by Trump to expedite deportations of those alleged to be gang members or terrorists, citing the government's failure to provide adequate due process. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025

If convicted on the federal charges — which include providing material support to terrorists and conspiracy to kill a U.S. citizen — Matar faces life in prison. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 16 May 2025

Adjective

America also began spending less between 1986 and 2001, yet after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the figure climbed from 3.1 percent to 4.9 percent in 2010, since dropping to 3.4 percent. —Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

Due date for individuals and businesses impacted by recent terrorist attacks in Israel. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1795, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing terrorist

• anti-terrorist