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

Under this framework, advocating for Palestinian rights amounts to supporting the twin evils of terrorism and antisemitism. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

Dems dodge on calling Tesla attacks acts of ‘domestic terrorism’ After months of slamming Elon Musk as a threat, Democrats are refusing to say whether their inflammatory rhetoric is to blame for the attacks against Tesla owners and dealers across the country. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025

In August, French officials arrested the founder of Telegram, for allowing his platform to host criminal endeavors that ranged from drug trafficking to terrorism. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

President Trump labeled the vandalism an act of domestic terrorism and threatened to send anyone who did it to a prison in El Salvador. —Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 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