terrorist

[ ter-er-ist ]

noun

1. a person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism.
2. a person who terrorizes or frightens others.
3. (formerly) a member of a political group in Russia aiming at the demoralization of the government by terror.
4. an agent or partisan of the revolutionary tribunal during the Reign of Terror in France.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of terrorism or terrorists:

   terrorist tactics.

terrorist

/ ˈtɛrərɪst /

noun

1. 1. a person who employs terror or terrorism, esp as a political weapon
   2. ( as modifier )

      terrorist tactics

Derived Forms

• ˌterrorˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• terror·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrorist¹

First recorded in 1785–95; terror + -ist; compare French terroriste

Example Sentences

The IDF said in a statement on Monday that its forces had killed "dozens of terrorists in close-quarters encounters and through targeted strikes" in the Beit Lahia area over the past week.

From BBC

He has promised to treat smugglers like terrorists, disrupting their plans “before they act”.

From BBC

Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist organisation - unlike Israel, the US, the UK and many other Western countries - and members of the group often spend time there.

From BBC

Hezbollah is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the UK, US and other countries.

From BBC

The PKK is designated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the EU, the UK and the US.

From BBC

Related Words

• assassin
• bomber
• fanatic
• guerrilla
• gunman
• hijacker
• insurgent
• radical
• rebel
• revolutionary
• sniper
• zealot