Daesh

American  

[dah-eesh, dahsh] / dɑˈiʃ, dɑʃ /

Or Da'ish or Da'esh

noun

1. a name used to refer to ISIS/ISIL, the radical Sunni Muslim organization: use of this name is said to delegitimize the group's claim to be an "Islamic state."

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Etymology

Origin of Daesh

Acronym of the group's full Arabic name, al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi al-Iraq wa al-Sham , translated as “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (or the Levant)”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Daesh

"Royal Air Force aircraft have completed successful strikes against Daesh in a joint operation with France," the ministry said in a statement, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

From Barron's ● Jan. 4, 2026

IS - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2026

In northeast Syria, approximately 11,000 suspected Daesh fighters are being held in facilities of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which have played a prominent role in the fight against IS, the panel said.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 14, 2023

Qaradawi also opposed the ultra-radical Islamic State group, saying he totally disagreed with Daesh "in ideology and means".

From Reuters ● Sep. 26, 2022

The mission was under the control of Operation Inherent Resolve - the US-led coalition against the Islamic State, also known as Daesh.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 16, 2022

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