terrorist

American  

[ter-er-ist] / ˈtɛr ər ɪst /

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.

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adjective

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

   terrorist tactics.

terrorist British  

/ ˈtɛrərɪst /

noun

1. 1. a person who employs terror or terrorism, esp as a political weapon

   2. ( as modifier )

      terrorist tactics

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Other Word Forms

• terroristic adjective

Etymology

Origin of terrorist

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

Example Sentences

According to state TV, supporters of the authorities took to the streets in solidarity against recent "terrorist actions".

From BBC

Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the Islamic Republic’s founder, called on the public to attend the Tehran rally to “condemn terrorist acts.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The Jordanian army said Saturday's strikes "were coordinated with partners within the framework of the international coalition... to neutralise the capabilities of terrorist groups and prevent them from reorganising".

From Barron's

Before 9/11, presidents mostly treated terrorist acts as matters for cops and the courts.

From The Wall Street Journal

After the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, the government went on a large recruitment drive within the French intelligence agencies.

From BBC

Related Words

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