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 Children affected by the war are also attending summer camps such as those led by OneFamily, an organization that supports victims of terrorism and war and their families. — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Sentences range from nearly two to 50 years, including terrorism and material-support convictions, following earlier trial verdicts that imposed up to 100 years on a former Marine reservist. — Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 The state sponsor of terrorism label, first imposed on Syria in 1979 after a previous regime sided with Palestinian militants, continues to repel the business deals the country needs to recover from its crippling civil war. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 8 July 2026 Fifteen defendants have been sentenced in a domestic terrorism case tied to a July 4, 2025, protest at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in North Texas, where an Alvarado police lieutenant was shot and wounded. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrorism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorism

Noun

In its absence, this category is open for business, with Rhys, so good at shifting between his show’s droll humor and genuine terror, an obvious choice.

— Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
On top of that, there was a terror attack plot at one of her concerts in Vienna in 2024, which was thwarted.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 July 2026

Definition of terror

Noun

Was remembers the tumult, violence and hope that came out of that era in his hometown of Detroit.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
But the comments from Raia provide the clearest public indication yet that the FBI's Joint Mission Center, established earlier this year to coordinate the bureau's response to domestic political violence, is producing tangible investigative results.

— Asra Q. Nomani , Morgan Phillips, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of violence

Noun

The 16-count indictment against Republican Liz Murrill, handed up Thursday by a New Orleans grand jury, charges Louisiana’s first female attorney general with intimidation and malfeasance.

— Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
The 16-count indictment handed up Thursday by a New Orleans grand jury accused Murrill, the state's first female attorney general, with intimidation and malfeasance.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 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 9 Jul. 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

tacit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes