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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Recent Examples of terrorism
Through personal archives and present-day reflection, The Golden Swan transforms a landmark act of early modern terrorism into a deeply human story of courage, forgiveness, and moral resistance in the face of fear.
—
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
The last update in August 2025 added terrorism to the risks.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026
This had nothing to do with terrorism and everything to do with painting victims as criminals to excuse their killings after the fact—something all too familiar in Black and Brown communities.
—Phillip Atiba Solomon, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Typical travel insurance policies often carry exclusions for terrorism, political violence or civil unrest.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorism
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
The last update in August 2025 added terrorism to the risks.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026
This had nothing to do with terrorism and everything to do with painting victims as criminals to excuse their killings after the fact—something all too familiar in Black and Brown communities.
—Phillip Atiba Solomon, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Typical travel insurance policies often carry exclusions for terrorism, political violence or civil unrest.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorism
Noun
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The mystery ingredient that makes the camera love some actors and spurn others is a terror.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2026
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No one will ever forget—there were people on that train—no one will ever forget the expression of terror on Iryna’s face.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Khamanei’s rule was marked by mismanagement, and ultimately ended with one of the more brutal episodes of his trademark repression – the violence his regime meted out to keep power.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
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There’s alcoholism and violence – especially by men against women – but there’s also a yearning that can stir up grit or fortitude.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But all that — along with the aura of fear and intimidation that Khamenei carefully cultivated — began to unravel in his final years.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
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Judge Kristy Yang sentenced him to a year and six months behind bars on the identity theft count, five years on the intimidation count and 10 years on the endangerment count.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorism. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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