ter ‧ ror ‧ ist W3 /ˈterərəst, ˈterərɪst/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
someone who uses violence such as bombing, shooting etc to obtain political demands:
We refuse to talk to terrorists.
terrorist attack/activity/offence
Twenty people were killed in the latest terrorist attack.
terrorist group/organization
A terrorist bomb that left 168 people dead.
⇨ ↑ guerrilla
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ an international terrorist
The kidnap was carried out by a group of international terrorists.
▪ a suspected terrorist
Coalition forces killed at least 20 suspected terrorists.
▪ an armed terrorist
They were gunned down by armed terrorists outside their hotel.
■ terrorist + NOUN
▪ a terrorist group/organization
No terrorist group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
▪ a terrorist attack/bombing/act
More than 50 people were injured in the terrorist attack.
▪ terrorist activity
The Foreign Office has issued a warning to tourists about terrorist activity in the country.
▪ terrorist violence
Al-Qaeda began waging a campaign of terrorist violence against the West.
▪ the terrorist threat
He admitted the increased terrorist threat was causing the security forces great concern.
▪ a terrorist cell (=a small secret group of terrorists)
Detectives believe that one individual, rather than a terrorist cell, is responsible for the bombing.