domestic terrorism

American  

[duh-mes-tik ter-uh-riz-uhm] / dəˈmɛs tɪk ˈtɛr əˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. the unlawful use of violence or threats against a country’s civilian population or government by an individual or group based and operating within the same country and without foreign direction, with the goal of furthering political, social, or ideological objectives.

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Usage

See terrorism.

Other Word Forms

• domestic terrorist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of domestic terrorism

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

First, in the Senate on Tuesday, Republicans and Democrats excoriated her for accusing Alex Pretti of domestic terrorism after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot him to death, bringing additional pain on his grieving family.

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2026

Both officials denied that Pretti’s actions constituted domestic terrorism and said they hadn’t described his actions that way to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem or Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller, despite the officials’ public comments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Ultimately, Hoffman said, the U.S. does need a clear and precise law on domestic terrorism.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2025

FBI Director Kash Patel has described the attack as "an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology".

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2025

Since August 1989, President PAZ Zamora, despite his Marxist   origins, has maintained a moderate policy of repressing domestic terrorism,   containing inflation, and achieving annual GDP growth of 3 to 4%.

From The 1993 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency