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
Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
These narco-terrorists have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda, and they will be treated the same.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Hamas’s chief in Gaza, Khalil al Hayya, confirmed his terrorist organization started searching new areas for bodies of the remaining 13 hostages, according to comments the group shared Sunday.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2025
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Noun
Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the third strike.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
These narco-terrorists have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda, and they will be treated the same.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Officials said that material could have been used to construct explosive devices or carry out terrorist attacks.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Hamas’s chief in Gaza, Khalil al Hayya, confirmed his terrorist organization started searching new areas for bodies of the remaining 13 hostages, according to comments the group shared Sunday.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrorist
Cite this Entry
“Terrorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorist. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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