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

"US support is designed to enhance Nigeria's ability to independently detect, track and disrupt terrorist activity," Uba, director of defence information at Nigeria's Defence Headquarters, told AFP.

From Barron's

But it isn’t a terrorist or an assassin.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tehran has acknowledged that more than 3,000 people died during the unrest, including members of the security forces and innocent bystanders, and attributed the violence to "terrorist acts".

From Barron's

Brasilia considers the organized crime factions to be criminal and not terrorist organizations.

From Barron's

The National Defense Strategy includes provisions for maintaining a resource-sustainable approach to countering Islamic terrorists with focused capability on organizations possessing both the intent and ability to strike the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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