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
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: 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
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2025
However, there is no evidence that Kaczynski, one of the most infamous domestic terrorists in American history, had ever been in a classroom with the president's uncle despite his boasting.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 17 July 2025
Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Cartel de los Soles, or Cartel of the Suns, is being sanctioned by the U.S. for providing support to foreign terrorist organizations, including the violent Tren de Aragua and Sinaloa Cartel, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2025
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Noun
Pearl, who is Jewish, has been more outspoken against Hamas terrorists and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East since the terror attacks.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2025
However, there is no evidence that Kaczynski, one of the most infamous domestic terrorists in American history, had ever been in a classroom with the president's uncle despite his boasting.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 17 July 2025
Adjective
Israel declared war on Hamas, the governing body of Gaza, which the U.S. classifies as a terrorist organization, after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas that devastated communities in Israel, killing 1,200 and taking more than 200 people hostage.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Cartel de los Soles, or Cartel of the Suns, is being sanctioned by the U.S. for providing support to foreign terrorist organizations, including the violent Tren de Aragua and Sinaloa Cartel, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 29 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 6 Aug. 2025.
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