TERRORISM Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

terrorism

noun

Definition of terrorism

as in terror

the use of violent acts to frighten the people in an area as a way of trying to achieve a political goal They have been arrested for acts of terrorism. international terrorism the fight against terrorism

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of terrorism Haiti is on the State Department’s do not travel list — owing to such hazards as crime, kidnapping, terrorism and unrest. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 The political violence that tainted the Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction era clashes with traditional definitions of terrorism, which typically targets a power structure that such violence seeks to upend. — Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 Both men later pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in a federal courtroom in Oklahoma City. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026 In other countries, this is considered terrorism and cannot be regarded as a political belief. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrorism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorism

Noun

At first, the men from Maidenpool laugh in his crispy little face, but soon their expressions evolve, from disbelief to disdain to awe and, finally, to terror.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
But nothing has quite captured the pure animalististic terror of the moment in this episode when Rhaena, Daemon, Rhaenyra and Addam all come face-to-face, dragon-to-dragon.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of terror

Noun

Senior leadership from Pakistan and Turkey departed for Saudi Arabia this week, where they are expected to sign a trilateral defense deal as regional violence flares.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Health officials say the mistrust has also made contact tracing and early treatment more difficult, particularly in remote communities affected by rebel violence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of violence

Noun

In Season 1, Sugar was hard-edged and assertive; the kind of private investigator who leads with intimidation and meets aggression with equal aggression.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
In March 2026, Didulo’s and Manz’s charges for intimidation of a justice-system participant were shelved due to lack of evidence, though prosecutors have one year to refile.

— Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of intimidation

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“Terrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorism. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of terrorism

noun

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