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
Time
: 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
Joe KleinThere 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
Gary J. LaughlinExamples of terrorist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Peggy O'Hare, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
In the 2010s, as the threat from the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group grew, so did Iran’s involvement in neighboring Arab countries.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
Reuters 9 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
In one reading, Louise’s terrorist arc is a refreshing subversion of the political correctness of Cash’s millennial forebears, the Patricia Lockwoods and Sally Rooneys and Sheila Hetis of the world, who might never dream of straying from their lane of lived experience.
—Malavika Kannan, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorist
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Noun
But public records and interviews paint a picture of an elusive man who investigators say may have operated as a lone terrorist.
—Peggy O'Hare, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
In the 2010s, as the threat from the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group grew, so did Iran’s involvement in neighboring Arab countries.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Prosecutor Edward Robert Campbell told the state television program on Friday the accused faced a host of possible charges including crimes associated with terrorist acts.
—Reuters 9 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
In one reading, Louise’s terrorist arc is a refreshing subversion of the political correctness of Cash’s millennial forebears, the Patricia Lockwoods and Sally Rooneys and Sheila Hetis of the world, who might never dream of straying from their lane of lived experience.
—Malavika Kannan, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorist
Cite this Entry
“Terrorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorist. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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