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 Web
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Dec. 2024
Since Syria’s conflict broke out in March 2011, the Syrian government has referred to opposition fighters as terrorists.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Bethany Blankley | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Dec. 2024
The group, which has origins in al-Qaida, is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and United Nations.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
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Noun
More than 360 people were killed and many more wounded when terrorists opened fire on the outdoor festival held in Re’im in southern Israel.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Dec. 2024
Since Syria’s conflict broke out in March 2011, the Syrian government has referred to opposition fighters as terrorists.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Earlier this year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared TdA a foreign terrorist organization and Texas Department of Public Safety began creating a database to identify TdA members, characterizations, and arrests.
—Bethany Blankley | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Dec. 2024
The group, which has origins in al-Qaida, is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and United Nations.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for terrorist
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Cite this Entry
“Terrorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorist. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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