terrorist

American  

[ter-er-ist] / ˈtɛr ər ɪst /

noun

1. a person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism.

2. a person who terrorizes or frightens others.

3. (formerly) a member of a political group in Russia aiming at the demoralization of the government by terror.

4. an agent or partisan of the revolutionary tribunal during the Reign of Terror in France.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of terrorism or terrorists.

   terrorist tactics.

terrorist British  

/ ˈtɛrərɪst /

noun

1. 1. a person who employs terror or terrorism, esp as a political weapon

   2. ( as modifier )

      terrorist tactics

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Other Word Forms

• terroristic adjective

Etymology

Origin of terrorist

First recorded in 1785–95; terror + -ist; compare French terroriste

Example Sentences

Judges said earlier this month that the campaign group's activities had not met the threshold to declare it a terrorist organisation, but the ban remained in place pending any eventual government appeal.

From BBC

Along with some colleagues, Nick also shared in a New York Press Club award for his coverage of the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris.

From The Wall Street Journal

We equip them with protective gear to respond to a chemical attack; we train them in heavy weapons to respond to an “active shooter” or terrorist event.

From The Wall Street Journal

It has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., which says it uses money it raises to purchase foreign military equipment and pay for its proxy military forces.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a statement on Sunday, Sudan's foreign ministry said: "The Sudanese government condemns in the strongest terms the Ugandan government's reception... of rebel leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the terrorist militia."

From BBC

Related Words

• assassin
• bomber
• fanatic
• guerrilla
• gunman
• hijacker
• insurgent
• radical
• rebel
• revolutionary
• sniper
• zealot