TERRORISM Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

terrorism

noun

Definition of terrorism

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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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.

Recent Examples of terrorism For much of the first two decades of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s time in office, the reigning model of state security was fighting terrorism and extremism. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 No one has ever been charged with his killing, despite an ongoing FBI terrorism investigation into the crime. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026 In 2025 Turner showed his eclectic tastes, appearing in the romantic drama Eternity, the war on terrorism satire Atropia, and the low-budget art-house mystery Rose of Nevada. — L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 For 47 years, the United States isolated Syria because it was deemed a sponsor of terrorism. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terrorism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrorism

Noun

As dark occurrences begin to shatter the quiet of their isolated home, the boy is forced to navigate a harrowing psychological nightmare where the line between real-world madness and supernatural terror blurs.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
His thinking ensured that the hotel needed only minor updates over the decades, the biggest renovation resulting from a deadly terror attack and siege in Mumbai in 2008.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of terror

Noun

Younger adults, between the ages of 18 to 29, were more likely than others to say violence was sometimes OK, especially those with heavy social media use, according to the study.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
The council was issuing a proclamation about gun violence prevention.

— Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of violence

Noun

Jacobs was initially arrested on five criminal charges, including a felony count of strangulation and suffocation as well as battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and intimidation of a victim.

— Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Ann Arbor, where El-Sayed lives, is home to a branch of the Free Palestine movement that has engaged in violent intimidation of Jewish Democrats.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of intimidation

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“Terrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrorism. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of terrorism

noun

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