terrorist

[ ter-er-ist ]

noun

1. a person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism.
2. a person who terrorizes or frightens others.
3. (formerly) a member of a political group in Russia aiming at the demoralization of the government by terror.
4. an agent or partisan of the revolutionary tribunal during the Reign of Terror in France.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of terrorism or terrorists:

   terrorist tactics.

terrorist

/ ˈtɛrərɪst /

noun

1. 1. a person who employs terror or terrorism, esp as a political weapon
   2. ( as modifier )

      terrorist tactics

Derived Forms

• ˌterrorˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• terror·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrorist¹

First recorded in 1785–95; terror + -ist; compare French terroriste

Example Sentences

Last week, the US and France said the agreement would “cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organisations operating from Lebanon”.

From BBC

President Assad has vowed to “crush” the rebels, referring to them as “terrorists”.

From BBC

But HTS is still designated as a terrorist group by the UN Security Council and countries including the US, the European Union, Turkey and the UK.

From BBC

Mr San Diego, who the FBI has previously called an "animal rights extremist", was held after an operation backed by counter terrorist police and North Wales Police on Monday.

From BBC

It said the man had taken part in an attack on the kibbutz of Nir Oz, though added that it was "not possible to link the terrorist to a specific abduction attempt".

From BBC

Related Words

• assassin
• bomber
• fanatic
• guerrilla
• gunman
• hijacker
• insurgent
• radical
• rebel
• revolutionary
• sniper
• zealot