terrorism

noun

ter·​ror·​ism ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm 

: the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion

Examples of terrorism in a Sentence

They have been arrested for acts of terrorism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Luigi Mangione, the man accused in the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson late last year, is due in a Manhattan courthouse on Friday, his first appearance this year on state charges of murder as an act of terrorism. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025

Mangione has pleaded innocent to multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Feb. 2025

Mangione, dressed in a green sweater, white collared shirt, khaki pants and a bulletproof vest, appeared in Manhattan's State Supreme Court on Friday, Feb. 21, on the charges, which also accuse him of committing an act of terrorism. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025

The 2025 Munich Security Conference (MSC) opened in the shadow of terrorism. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing terrorism

• anti-terrorism
• counter-terrorism
• narco-terrorism
• state terrorism

Rhymes for terrorism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

terrorism

noun

ter·​ror·​ism ˈter-ər-ˌiz-əm 

: the use of terror as a means of achieving a goal

terrorist

-ər-əst 

adjective or noun

Legal Definition

terrorism

noun

ter·​ror·​ism ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm 

1

: the unlawful use or threat of violence especially against the state or the public as a politically motivated means of attack or coercion

2

: violent and intimidating gang activity

street terrorism

terrorist

-ist 

adjective or noun

terroristic

ˌter-ər-ˈis-tik 

adjective