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
Sam Dalrymple, Time, 14 July 2025
In the past, Houseguests have been told about major world events, like when producers told season 2 finalists Will Kirby, Nicole Nilson and Monica Bailey about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to Entertainment Weekly.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 11 July 2025
Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
The Egyptian government considers the Brotherhood a terrorist group, but the United States does not.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorist
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Noun
For more than six decades, the treaty survived the subcontinental wars and discord but has come under significant strain after India suspended its participation in the treaty after the April terrorist attack in Kashmir.
—Sam Dalrymple, Time, 14 July 2025
In the past, Houseguests have been told about major world events, like when producers told season 2 finalists Will Kirby, Nicole Nilson and Monica Bailey about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to Entertainment Weekly.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
In the North East — where years of armed insurgency by Boko Haram and other terrorist splinter groups have caused widespread devastation — the challenges are even more pronounced.
—Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
The Egyptian government considers the Brotherhood a terrorist group, but the United States does not.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 15 July 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 21 Jul. 2025.
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