Daesh

American  

[dah-eesh, dahsh] / dɑˈiʃ, dɑʃ /

Or Da'ish or Da'esh

noun

1. a name used to refer to ISIS/ISIL, the radical Sunni Muslim organization: use of this name is said to delegitimize the group's claim to be an "Islamic state."

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Etymology

Origin of Daesh

Acronym of the group's full Arabic name, al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi al-Iraq wa al-Sham , translated as “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (or the Levant)”

Example Sentences

IS - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2026

"We captured 125 Daesh suspects in simultaneous operations carried out in 25 provinces this morning," Ali Yerlikaya said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

The conflict in Sudan, which began in mid-April, also renewed attention “on the presence and activity of Daesh and other terrorist groups in that country,” Voronkov said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2023

Qaradawi also opposed the ultra-radical Islamic State group, saying he totally disagreed with Daesh "in ideology and means".

From Reuters • Sep. 26, 2022

The mission was under the control of Operation Inherent Resolve - the US-led coalition against the Islamic State, also known as Daesh.

From Washington Times • Jun. 16, 2022