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

He discovered a public more concerned with Progressive Era anti-monopoly reforms that Republicans cast as anti-business, a postwar economic slump, and acts of domestic terrorism committed by anarchists.

From Slate • Mar. 10, 2026

Thurmond asked, a poke at Swalwell, who thanked the department for its work last year in a case of domestic terrorism.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 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

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