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

Justice said Abdullah was convicted of conspiring to provide, and providing, material support to a foreign terrorist organization; conspiring to murder U.S. nationals; aircraft piracy; destroying aircraft and transnational acts of terrorism. —Tara Suter, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

On Monday, he was further convicted on counts of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiring to commit aircraft piracy, conspiring to destroy aircraft and conspiring to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024

Chicago Police Department Chief Larry Snelling announced during a press conference Thursday that Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, was charged with one felony count of terrorism and one felony count of a hate crime. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 31 Oct. 2024

The entire history of this country is ripe with horrifying examples of white terrorism on this soil. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing terrorism

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

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