al-Qaeda
noun
a radical Sunni Muslim organization dedicated to the elimination of a Western presence in Arab countries and militantly opposed to Western foreign policy: founded by Osama bin Laden in 1988.
al-Qaida
-
a variation of
al-Qaeda.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The attacks led to the war in Afghanistan, which lasted for 20 years after the invasion’s initial success in dismantling al-Qaida and removing the Taliban government.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
The lack of martial vigor rings especially true of the other groups, the seemingly disbanded Hurras al-Din in Syria and al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent.
From Slate ● Apr. 21, 2026
For this new “Global War on Terror” against al-Qaida, a new vocabulary and a new story were in order.
From Salon ● Dec. 13, 2025
“Without their tutelage,” Hoffman says, “it is questionable that al-Qaida could have become so threatening and competent.”
From Slate ● Aug. 9, 2024
Our strategy involved destroying the larger al-Qaida network and also confronting the radical ideology that inspired others to join or support the terrorist movement.
From National Strategy for Combating Terrorism September 2006 by National Security Council (U.S.)
