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 Police said the men were suspected of terrorism and explosives offenses, prompting speculation that the detainees were planning to target the RAF base, possibly on behalf of a foreign power. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2026 For as long as modern terrorism has existed, women have been known to fight and carry out attacks. — Sara Harmouch, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 In August, Secretary of State Marco Rubio rescinded Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, helping paving the way for the latest step in drawing closer to the current government. — Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 Israeli authorities are also examining whether terrorism could have played a role. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrorism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorism

Noun

In-line fours got bigger, went a hell of a lot faster, and schooled several generations of riders in sheer terror, while simultaneously addicting them to industrial doses of adrenaline.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
More than 1,200 people – mostly civilians – were killed in the terror attack.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of terror

Noun

In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
In a statement to Rolling Stone, the singer’s attorney, Mathew Rosengart, praised her bravery in fighting the agreement that would have barred her from speaking about her experience and her work with domestic-violence groups.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of violence

Noun

Terrorist organizations also frequently use public executions as a means of intimidation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Other federal laws, which more broadly prohibit any intimidation of, or interference with, voters may also be applied to keep armed officials from appearing at polling places.

— Danielle Friedman, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidation

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“Terrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorism. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of terrorism

noun

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