jihadist

noun

ji·​had·​ist ji-ˈhä-dist How to pronounce jihadist (audio)
 chiefly British  -ˈha-
: a Muslim who advocates or participates in a jihad
jihadist adjective

Examples of jihadist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Still, many countries are reluctant or unwilling to take in the children of ISIS fighters out of fear they may have been radicalized by extremists and could become future jihadists. Sacha Pfeiffer, NPR, 27 May 2025 While Turkey has supported Syria's new president and former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa, Israel has attacked military targets previously belonging to the Assad regime throughout the country to neutralize a potential threat from Damascus. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025 Arab leaders want to know whether Washington prefers a Syria that is stable and unified under a regime led by former jihadists or is violent and divided. Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for jihadist

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jihadist was in 1967

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Cite this Entry

“Jihadist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jihadist. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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