bioterrorism

American  

[bahy-oh-ter-uh-riz-uhm] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈtɛr əˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. terrorist acts involving the use of harmful agents and products of biological origin, as disease-producing microorganisms or toxins.

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bioterrorism ¹ Cultural  

1. The use of biological agents as weapons of terror. Anthrax bacteria are one such agent, while smallpox is considered one of the more likely lethal viruses that could serve as a weapon of bioterror. (See germ warfare.)

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bioterrorism ² Cultural  

1. Terrorism that relies on spreading diseases, such as anthrax and smallpox.

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Other Word Forms

• bioterrorist
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of bioterrorism

First recorded in 1980–85; bio- + terrorism

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bioterrorism

"It's really bad people using AI, particularly in AI where you can take out all the safeguards," he said, adding that increased restrictions were needed to prevent bad actors using AI for bioterrorism and cyberattacks.

From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2026

Beyond the misuse of AI for cyberattacks or bioterrorism, developers have said they’re worried about losing control of AI systems as well as serious economic disruptions due to AI.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

He said in his resignation letter his contributions included investigating why generative AI systems suck up to users, combatting AI-assisted bioterrorism risks and researching "how AI assistants could make us less human".

From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2026

Last month, he published a lengthy essay that pushed for self-regulation and warned about the potential dangers, from AI-powered bioterrorism to job losses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 4, 2026

Past students, she explained, had studied orcas, diabetes, astronaut food, the Black Death, velociraptors, solar hurricanes, and bioterrorism.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin

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