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

The levels are based off several factors, including crime levels, threats of terrorism, civil unrest, health concerns and the possibility of a natural disaster, according to the State Department. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025

Now, there are a lot of reasons for wanting to know this information, chief among them anti-money-laundering laws to combat the illicit financing of terrorism, and to us and our listeners, tax evasion. —Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Maintained by the Department of Energy’s counterintelligence unit, the Sensitive Country List includes nuclear states such as India and Russia as well as countries deemed to be sponsors of terrorism, such as North Korea or Iran. —Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025

In the face of growing protests against Tesla, Trump held an event with Musk on the White House lawn last week and vowed to label vandalism and attacks against the carmaker as domestic terrorism. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Mar. 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