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Synonyms

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.


adjective

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

    terrorist tactics.

terrorist British  
/ ˈtɛrərɪst /

noun

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

    2. ( as modifier )

      terrorist tactics

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • terroristic adjective

Etymology

Origin of terrorist

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the time the diaspora ministry said the measure was needed to prevent "the infiltration of terrorist operatives into humanitarian structures".

From BBC

No thoughts and prayers, even, just a rush to dehumanize the dead with labels such as “domestic terrorist” before any investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

The law was first passed in 2019, when the United States classified the Guards as a terrorist organisation.

From Barron's

"Let's be accurate, my bill talks about terrorists and about an act of terrorism, there's no discrimination here. The definition is very clear," he says.

From BBC

NSO Group insists it only sells its spyware to governments to help track terrorists and criminals.

From BBC