stochastic terrorism

[ stuh-kas-tik ter-uh-riz-uhm ]

noun

1. the public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted:

   The lone-wolf attack was apparently influenced by the rhetoric of stochastic terrorism.

Word History and Origins

Origin of stochastic terrorism¹

First recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

In the last presidential election, that window was four days, plenty of time for Trump to cry foul and incite what experts describe as “stochastic terrorism,” a term for the acts of intimidation and violence that follow his vilification of political opponents and even just public officials doing their jobs.

From Salon

The language used in Trump’s speeches in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, his fundraising emails and his communications more broadly are almost textbook stochastic terrorism.

From Salon

These are just a few examples of a much larger pattern of violence, stochastic terrorism, and other violent and antidemocratic behavior by Trump during the last nine years.

From Salon

Mercieca said data show Trump’s attacks on groups of people have spurred “stochastic terrorism” — or political violence against groups of people targeted with hostile political rhetoric.

From Los Angeles Times

As you’ve probably heard by now, this all-too-familiar tactic is called “stochastic terrorism,” a term often deployed over the past few years by Salon's Chauncey DeVega, among others:

From Salon