Definitions
01political violence
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the use of violence or threats to scare people and force a government to change its actions.
n. the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population in furtherance of political or social objectives.
日本語:テロ※
“The government increased security at the airport to prevent acts of terrorism.”
“International cooperation is essential to dismantle the financial networks that sustain global terrorism and radicalization.”
Usage
Uncountable in general use; may be used as a countable noun when referring to specific types or instances.
Synonyms
02the Reign of Terror
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Academic · Formal
n. the period of extreme violence during the French Revolution.
n. the specific historical period of state-sanctioned violence and mass executions during the French Revolution (1793–1794).
“Historians study the origins of modern terrorism by looking back at the French Revolution.”
“The term originally described the state-led terrorism of the Revolutionary tribunal against perceived enemies of the Republic.”
Usage
Usually capitalized as 'the Terror' when referring specifically to the French historical event.
Teaching tip
This historical sense is rare in daily conversation but common in university-level history or political science contexts.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “terrorism” in context.
Verb
01. combat terrorism
“International agencies are working together to combat terrorism across the globe.”
verb + noun
02. condemn terrorism
“World leaders were quick to condemn terrorism in all its forms after the attack.”
verb + noun
03. fight against terrorism
“The government has increased its budget to support the fight against terrorism.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. domestic terrorism
“Authorities are becoming increasingly concerned about the threat of domestic terrorism.”
adj + noun
05. international terrorism
“The rise of international terrorism has led to stricter security measures at airports.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. act of terrorism
“The bombing was described by the prime minister as a cowardly act of terrorism.”
noun + of + noun
07. terrorism threat
“The national terrorism threat level was raised to high following the recent intelligence report.”
noun + noun
08. victim of terrorism
“A memorial was built to honor every victim of terrorism who lost their life in the conflict.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“An attack on a Barclays Bank by five people from the Palestine Action group will not be treated as terrorism when they are sentenced, a judge has ruled.” “He explained that Bowie, an Albany resident, was a “frequent social media user” who created over a dozen accounts “relaying support for terrorism”.” Etymology
From French terrorisme, from terreur + -isme. By surface analysis, terror + -ism. The word first appears in English in 1795 in reference to the Jacobin radicals of France, who ruled during the Reign of Terror.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/terrorism
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR