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

In a post on the social media platform X, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department Tammy Bruce also accused Hamas terrorists of attacking the GHF distribution site, without providing evidence. —CBS News, 5 July 2025

However, that ceasefire ended on March 18 when Israel resumed military operations against Hamas in Gaza, with Israel citing the failure to release the remaining hostages and saying the military was targeting Hamas terrorists who posed a threat to Israeli troops and citizens. —ABC News, 4 July 2025

Adjective

Due date for individuals and businesses impacted by recent terrorist attacks in Israel. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025

American Exceptionalism in Film & TV Just under two months after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Fox premiered 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland as counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 July 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