ter·ror·ist
ˈter-ər-ist 
plural terrorists
: an advocate or practitioner of terrorism as a means of coercion
Opposition still runs high to the idea of releasing or bringing into U.S. prisons dozens of men widely considered dangerous terrorists even if many are not.
Less than three weeks before the Winter Olympics are set to begin in the Russian city of Sochi, police there have begun hunting for suspected terrorists allegedly plotting attacks.—
Time
Time
: or, relating to, or characteristic of terrorists or terrorism : practicing or involving violent acts of terror
a terrorist organization
The consequences of the U.S. response to the terrorist attacks of September 2001 will ramify for decades.—Joe Klein
Joe KleinThere is no margin for error when a real terrorist threat is present and the safety of the public, and the first responders, is in jeopardy.—Gary J. Laughlin
Gary J. LaughlinExamples of terrorist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Louis Casiano , Liz Friden, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
On October 7, 2023, the party was overrun by terrorists who brutally killed 364 partygoers and abducted another 40 to Gaza.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Israel launched its offensive after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorist
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Noun
The East African country has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and al-Shabab.
—Louis Casiano , Liz Friden, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025
On October 7, 2023, the party was overrun by terrorists who brutally killed 364 partygoers and abducted another 40 to Gaza.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Adjective
Due date for individuals and businesses impacted by recent terrorist attacks in Israel.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Israel launched its offensive after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorist
Cite this Entry
“Terrorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorist. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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