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 social media post on Tuesday, Netanyahu said Israel has killed more than 700 Hezbollah terrorists since entering a tentative ceasefire with Lebanon last month. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 26 May 2026

Trapped and cut off from any outside help, Sylvie is forced to follow the terrorist’s instructions, her every move watched, and with no choice but to deliver the ticking bomb to its target — the Royal Albert Hall. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 May 2026

Adjective

Nocella told Chen that the administration preferred to focus on domestic and foreign terrorist organizations, national security, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking and violent gangs. —ABC News, 27 May 2026

Tunnel to Towers, a nonprofit that began after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, will pay off the mortgage on Kilduff's home and education expenses for his children. —Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 26 May 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