as in terror
the use of violent acts to frighten the people in an area as a way of trying to achieve a political goal
They have been arrested for acts of terrorism. international terrorism the fight against terrorism
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Recent Examples of terrorism
The prominence of Hasan Piker, an apologist for terrorism and a proponent of authoritarian regimes, has revealed a much broader comfort on the left with illiberal ideas and violent methods.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
John Hurley left his post as undersecretary for terrorism after raising privacy concerns about federal monitoring of international payments from the Minneapolis area.
—Andrew Ackerman, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2026
On Saturday night, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez travelled to Cauca and pledged a crackdown on terrorism.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Gaza’s suffering can’t be explained solely by fear of terrorism.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorism
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
John Hurley left his post as undersecretary for terrorism after raising privacy concerns about federal monitoring of international payments from the Minneapolis area.
—Andrew Ackerman, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2026
On Saturday night, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez travelled to Cauca and pledged a crackdown on terrorism.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Gaza’s suffering can’t be explained solely by fear of terrorism.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrorism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorism
Noun
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The point is, instead, to revel in the contrast between the terrors and the impressively unfazed people who navigate them.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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In 1602, she was afflicted by a slew of symptoms, such as convulsions, fits, and terrors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Wilson wrote and spoke often about how the Black family was ripped apart by chattel slavery and how that foundational act of societal violence cascaded and compounded throughout Black life in 20th century America.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
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As crises have accumulated in the decade since, the hoodie’s tight connection to anti-Black violence seems to have loosened.—
Dawn Chan,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Samuel is too comfortable with his father’s assault rifle, pantomiming intimidation into the mirror like a 13-year-old Travis Bickle.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
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Jonathan Harms, 43, and Jolene Harms, 39, faced a long list of criminal charges related to stalking, witness intimidation and threats, court records show.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorism. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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