# terrorist

/ˈtɛɹɝɪst/ (US) · /tˈɛɹəɹˌɪst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/terrorist
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. political violence

noun · CEFR B2

someone who uses violence, like bombs or attacks, to scare people and force a government to change.

For teachers: a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

- The government increased security at the airport to prevent a terrorist attack.
- International intelligence agencies collaborated to dismantle the network before the terrorist cell could execute its planned assault on the capital.

Usage: Often used as a modifier before other nouns like 'attack', 'group', or 'threat'.

### 2. relating to terrorism

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to or involving the use of violence for political reasons.

For teachers: of or relating to the characteristics or actions of terrorism; typically used as an attributive adjective.

- The police are investigating several terrorist threats made online.
- The new legislation aims to curb terrorist financing by increasing the transparency of international wire transfers.

Usage: This adjective form is non-gradable; one cannot be 'more terrorist' than another.

### 3. French Revolution

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a person involved in the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution.

For teachers: an agent or partisan of the revolutionary tribunal during the Reign of Terror in France (1793–1794).

- In history class, we learned how the original terrorists were part of the French Revolution.
- The term was originally applied to the Jacobins, specifically those terrorists who orchestrated the state-sanctioned executions during the revolutionary period.

Teaching tip: This is the historical origin of the word; in modern contexts, it has lost this specific association with state-led French history.

## Examples

- The government is working to stop the terrorist group.
- Security at the airport was increased significantly after the terrorist attack on the capital city.
- International law distinguishes between a legitimate combatant and a terrorist by examining whether the targets of violence are military installations or innocent civilian populations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.