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

Other Word Forms

• terroristic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrorist¹

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

Example Sentences

"The terrorist was involved in transferring weapons and in efforts to reestablish Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon," the military said, adding three other members of the group were also killed.

Read more on Barron's

"The United States still has significant reservations about Colombia's peace process, including the worsening of the security situation and the risk of impunity for terrorists and drug traffickers," Waltz said.

Read more on Barron's

After meeting with the security chiefs behind the operation, the lawmakers announced they would fast-track a bill to designate Comando Vermelho and First Capital Command -- Brazil's two largest criminal factions -- as "terrorist organizations."

Read more on Barron's

Without putting forth evidence, officials have also called Venezuela a “central hub of terrorist activity” and have claimed that Maduro’s regime is running the cartels.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Israeli military said it attacked "dozens of terror targets and terrorists".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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