jihadist

noun

ji·​had·​ist ji-ˈhä-dist How to pronounce jihadist (audio)
chiefly British -ˈha-
: a Muslim who advocates or participates in a jihad
jihadist adjective

Examples of jihadist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some of these cabinet members have even maintained, without a shred of evidence, that Syria’s president, the former jihadist Ahmed al-Shara, is preparing to attack Israel. — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026 That 2015 election is significant because it was held a year after nearly 300 girls were abducted from a school in the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok by jihadist group Boko Haram. — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Tiani had pledged to improve security in the Sahel nation, a major uranium producer, but jihadist attacks have persisted. — Reuters, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026 And the Soufan Center warned in January that hard-liners within those services could break ranks and join the Islamic State group or other jihadist organizations. — Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jihadist

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jihadist was in 1967

Rhymes for jihadist

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Browse Nearby Words

jihadi
jihadist
jikungu
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jihadist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jihadist. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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