terrorist

1 of 2

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

2 of 2

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

India expressed concern over China’s role in combating terrorism after the latter once again blocked India’s proposals to the UNSC to designate Masood Azhar as a terrorist in 2016 and 2017. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026

That path leads to a State Department foreign terrorist designation. — Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

Adjective

The Baloch Liberation Army, which the United States designated a terrorist organization in 2019, has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks targeting security forces, government officials and civilians in recent years. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

Davidson especially came under fire for taking money from a government linked by lawsuits to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Fox News reported. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1795, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing terrorist

• anti-terrorist