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

Ford played President James Marshall, who must save his family from terrorists holding the First Lady hostage on Air Force One — and Close portrayed his vice president, who helps handle the crisis from the Situation Room. —Luke Chinman, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025

Jabbar posted five videos on social media expressing support for the Islamic State terrorist group ISIS over the roughly hour and a half before the 3:15 a.m. CST attack, according to the FBI. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2025

Adjective

The next terrorist attack will be 100% fully funded by the American taxpayer. —Chloe Mayer, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

The 42-year-old man who killed 14 people in a terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day bought one of his guns in Arlington, the FBI said. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 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