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

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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 Europol does not keep statistics on nihilistic violent extremism because definitions of it differ and acts can fall into the category of ordinary criminality as well as terrorism. — Lorne Cook, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 The United States gave the jihadi cause new energy with its 2003 invasion of Iraq, a war justified in part by the need to confront terrorism. — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026 There will be a seventh bell-tolling this year, for the thousands who have since died by suicide, or from cancer and other illnesses caused by the ravages of terrorism. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026 Because the focus has to be not just on any one individual, the problem here is terrorism. — NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrorism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorism

Noun

But times have changed since the days when Wasim and Waqar Younis struck terror into the hearts of opposition lineups with the ferocity of their bowling, or Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq made hay with the bat.

— James Wallace, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
State standards for high school world history classes also suggest discussing 9/11 and the war on terror.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of terror

Noun

Because colonial powers have always feared the child who survives its violence and continues to imagine a sky beyond its rule.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
North Carolina Democrats in the state’s House of Representatives cut all ties with one of their candidates running for the state legislature after her past social media posts about violence against Republicans came to light.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of violence

Noun

But Rybakina showed no intimidation, quickly coming through with a decisive break to clinch the victory after Gauff sent her overhead shot out of bounds, much to the shock of those there to root on the American.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Maryland leaders must make clear that brutality and lawless intimidation will not be tolerated.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of intimidation

Browse Nearby Words

terror

terrorism

terrorisms

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to terrorism

Cite this Entry

Style

“Terrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorism. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of terrorism

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

The Words of the Week - Jan. 3

Words of the Year: A Decade in Review

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on terrorism

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

empirical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes