ter·ror·ist
ˈter-ər-ist 
plural terrorists
: an advocate or practitioner of terrorism as a means of coercion
Opposition still runs high to the idea of releasing or bringing into U.S. prisons dozens of men widely considered dangerous terrorists even if many are not.
Less than three weeks before the Winter Olympics are set to begin in the Russian city of Sochi, police there have begun hunting for suspected terrorists allegedly plotting attacks.—
Time
Time
: or, relating to, or characteristic of terrorists or terrorism : practicing or involving violent acts of terror
a terrorist organization
The consequences of the U.S. response to the terrorist attacks of September 2001 will ramify for decades.—Joe Klein
Joe KleinThere is no margin for error when a real terrorist threat is present and the safety of the public, and the first responders, is in jeopardy.—Gary J. Laughlin
Gary J. LaughlinExamples of terrorist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebKelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 5 June 2024
Following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, however, when terrorists allegedly linked to Pakistan killed over 160 people in Mumbai, the Indian government barred its cricket team from touring Pakistan, even for international tournaments.
—M. Fahad Humayun, The Conversation, 5 June 2024
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024
The prosecution remains the country’s largest-ever terrorist financing investigation, experts said.
—Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for terrorist 
Noun
Mountbatten continued to remain close to Philip and the royal family, particularly Charles, up until his tragic death in 1979 at the hands of IRA terrorists.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 5 June 2024
Following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, however, when terrorists allegedly linked to Pakistan killed over 160 people in Mumbai, the Indian government barred its cricket team from touring Pakistan, even for international tournaments.
—M. Fahad Humayun, The Conversation, 5 June 2024
Adjective
The goal of the Real ID Act, approved by Congress in 2005, is to improve security and minimize fraud in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024
The prosecution remains the country’s largest-ever terrorist financing investigation, experts said.
—Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for terrorist
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'terrorist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to terrorist
Dictionary Entries Near terrorist
Cite this Entry
“Terrorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorist. Accessed 9 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share